Yates twins to spearhead British road worlds team

LONDON (AFP) — Twins Simon and Adam Yates will spearhead Great Britain’s squad at the UCI road worlds in Innsbruck, Austria, later this month, British Cycling announced on Wednesday.

Simon, who led the Vuelta a Espana entering Wednesday’s stage 17, and Adam Yates have assumed the leadership roles with four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome and this year’s Tour champion Geraint Thomas having opted out of racing in Innsbruck.

The 26-year-old brothers have targeted the worlds — which get underway September 26 — believing the mountainous terrain is suited to their talents.

“We’ve selected a strong team to take on this year’s world championships, and there’s a lot of talent within the squad,” said performance director Stephen Park. “Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas are obvious omissions from the men’s team, and this was a decision we made mutually.

“Given the challenging nature of the course, we want every rider selected to be able to give their 100 percent to the team, and on the back of what has been an incredible season for both [Thomas] and Froomey, it’s understandable they are unable to commit to this.”

Simon Yates leads in Spain going into the closing stages and is hoping for a happier outcome than this year’s Giro d’Italia, in which he led at one point before fading to finish 21st.

Team GB for the UCI road worlds

Elite men’s road race

Hugh Carthy, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Pete Kennaugh, James Knox, Ian Stannard, Connor Swift, Adam Yates, Simon Yates

Elite men’s time trial

Alex Dowsett, Tao Geoghegan Hart

Elite women’s road race

Hannah Barnes, Dani Christmas, Alice Cobb, Anna Henderson, Dani Rowe, Sophie Wright

Elite women’s time trial

Alice Barnes, Hayley Simmonds