News: Simon Yates to Vuelta a Asturias

Simon Yates heads to Vuelta a Asturias hungry for victory as part of his final preparation for the Giro d’Italia

News: Simon Yates to Vuelta a Asturias

Photo: Getty Images

Britain’s Simon Yates will headline a strong Team BikeExchange-Jayco squad, lining-up at tomorrow’s 64th edition of the Tour of Asturias. Coming of the back of an altitude training camp, the 29-year-old is looking to test the legs and fight for the victory in the hilly three-day event with big ambitions to win and eyes on the final short and relentless stage.

Alongside the Team BikeExchange-Jayco leader will be strong climbers Nick Schultz, Damien Howson and Tanel Kangert, with powerful all-rounders Chris Juul-Jensen, Callum Scotson and Lawson Craddock also looking to test their legs in the hills after various training camps.

The first stage between Oviedo and Pola de Lena will consist of 169km, with the novelty of a circuit in the council of Llanera and an ascent to Alto de la Miranda, in addition to the passes through the high of La Gargantada (3rd category), Alto de La Colladona (1st cat), La Cabaña (3rd), Fresneo (3rd cat) and Carabanzo (3rd cat).

The second stage, starting in Candás, with the Aristébano (2nd cat) and Forcayao (3rd cat) climbs which will serve as an appetiser for the traditional ascent to the top of El Acebo (1st cat), will be followed by a descent to reach the finish line in Cangas del Narcea, after a lengthy 202 kilometres of racing.

The final stage, between Cangas del Narcea and Oviedo, is a short 122-kilometre route which will see the peloton face the Alto del Violeo (2nd category) in the final kilometres.

Team BikeExchange-Jayco Line-Up:
Lawson Craddock (USA)
Damien Howson (AUS)
Chris Juul-Jensen (DEN)
Tanel Kangert (EST)
Nick Schultz (AUS)
Callum Scotson (AUS)
Simon Yates (GBR)

Simon Yates: “The Vuelta a Asturias is the last challenge before the start of the Giro in Hungary. Compared to the previous year, I wanted to change my racing calendar, and these three stages will help me refine my preparation.

A few days ago, we concluded the training camp in Andorra, we worked hard, and I think it went well. In Asturias I’ll have a lot of the teammates who will be with me in the Giro, so it will be a good opportunity to test the legs and tactics.”

Matthew White – Sport Director — “The plan for us at Vuelta a Asturias is a simple one: it is to win. We are taking the vast majority of our Giro d’Italia team, it’s like a dress rehearsal before our main goal of this Spring. This race is a perfect opportunity for us to get together one last time as a team going through the process of how we race and for example, put Simon in a good position to try to win. Last year we did the same at the Tour of Alps but this season we did things a little bit differently, but we are going to this race and after to the Giro with the same mentality.”

2022 Vuelta Ciclista a Asturias – Stages Details:
— Friday, 29th April, Stage 1: Oviedo – Pola de Lena, 169km
— Saturday, 30th April, Stage 2: Candás – Cangas del Narcea, 202km
— Sunday, 1st May, Stage 3: Cangas del Narcea – Oviedo, 122km