Kruijswijk helped Simon Yates through difficult winter, who now dreams of Giro stunt with Visma | Lease a Bike
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Follow us on GoogleAlthough his name was not mentioned among the Giro favorites, Simon Yates is currently in second place in the GC after two weeks of racing. It still feels a bit odd to see the 32-year-old British rider in his new colors, having spent his entire career with his current team, Jayco-AlUla. But at Visma | Lease a Bike, they have prepared Yates for the Giro at just the right moment, with the third week as the big goal. IDLProCycling.com spoke with Steven Kruijswijk about Simon.
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You have raced against Simon Yates for years, but now you have gone through the entire process leading up to the Giro with him as your teammate. Can you tell me more about how that went for him?
"I think it was a significant transition for Simon. He indicated in the first races that he was still finding his feet. I think that the way we ride, how we approach races as a team, and the entire team structure in terms of training and nutrition were slightly different at Jayco-AlUla. He probably had a bit more freedom there and could make his own choices, whereas here, it's more structured, and it took some getting used to."
"I've raced with him a lot and spent three weeks at altitude with him, and he seemed very motivated. He's a very easy-going guy who knows what he's doing. He doesn't let himself get carried away, which we saw in the first week of the Giro, for example. He was very calm and knew it would all happen in the last week. Anything is possible then, so you have to push through and encounter as few obstacles as possible. He's very good at that."
Were you able to support him in any way during that difficult winter within the team?
"Mainly by explaining how things work, which perhaps comes across differently than when the trainers or sports directors deliver the same message. Especially in Tenerife, where we trained for three weeks, we gave him a good idea of how the team works and what it all means. From the outside, there are rumors that it's all very strict, but that's more of a guideline that he has to find his way around, and that has to fit his personality. He's slowly but surely starting to feel at home."
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Simon Yates
Kruijswijk dreams of Giro podium with Simon Yates
Wout van Aert said last Wednesday that he was surprised Yates was already fourth in the GC. What's your take on his situation?
"We wanted to get Simon through the first part of the Giro as well as possible, and we weren't going to look at where he would be until the second rest day. So far, he's doing very well and rolling through it nicely. We are in control as a team, and now that we have finished the second week with him, we can maybe start making plans to get him on the podium in Rome in the third week."
On Wednesday, you were among the favorites on the first real climb of the Giro in stage 11. Were you impressed by everyone's level, or is Yates on top form here?
"He can undoubtedly compete with the very best. The level is very high again, but without Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar here, the race will be very exciting. They are on a different level, so we can make it very exciting in the final week. Simon can also be strong in that final week, and we are sticking to that."
Sports director Marc Reef was happy with the team around Yates in the first mountain test on Wednesday. How is it going for you, Wilco Kelderman, and Bart Lemmen?
"I think all three of us are at a good level, especially on the climbs. Hopefully, we can support Simon when it really matters and be part of his push in the GC."
Bram van der Ploeg (Twitter: @BvdPloegg | email: [email protected])
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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