Twin Cyclists, Different Paths: Simon and Adam Yates at the 2025 Giro d’Italia
The Yates Brothers: A Tale of Two Cyclists
When people think about British cycling in the last decade, it doesn't take long for the names Simon and Adam Yates to come up. Born just minutes apart, these identical twins have always been linked—not just by blood, but by bikes. They both shot up the professional ranks with burning ambition and nearly identical racing styles. But as the 2025 Giro d'Italia unfolds, their stories have spun off in separate directions.
Simon Yates has been living in the spotlight, especially after the unforgettable 2018 Giro. Back then, he looked unstoppable—wearing pink day after day—before that crushing collapse near the end. Fast-forward to 2025, and the cycling world is watching a new chapter: Simon is out for redemption, fighting back to claim the maglia rosa and remind everyone why he was considered the next big thing. His performance this year isn’t just about speed; it’s about grit and learning from heartbreaks. Simon rides for a WorldTour team that’s built around his strengths, and his experience gives him an edge on the winding mountain passes and chaotic sprint days.
So, what about Adam? While Simon’s name fills headlines and cycling podcasts, Adam Yates' path this season remains a bit quieter. Unlike Simon, Adam hasn’t been in the thick of the Giro spotlight. In the early 2020s, Adam had huge stage wins of his own and wore leader’s jerseys in other grand tours. But his participation in the 2025 edition of the Giro is uncertain, which marks a big shift from their earlier days when the twins often lined up side by side. Adam’s focus lately has been more about supporting teammates or targeting other races, keeping his ambitions just as fierce but maybe less public-facing.
Their careers started with promise that seemed to echo each other—two skinny British climbers dismantling expectations and giving French and Italian old guards a run for their money. They trained together, raced together, and sometimes even finished races just seconds apart. But look closer and you’ll see their personalities on display: Simon, famously aggressive, always chasing the next attack; Adam, more cool-headed, often biding his time until launching a well-timed surge.
How Destiny Divided Their Cycling Journeys
Family dynamics in sport are never simple, and with twins, the comparisons are relentless. Fans and commentators have debated for years: which Yates is more talented? Will they ever co-lead a team again? This year, Simon’s resurgence has reignited those old arguments. His redemption arc at the Giro isn’t just a personal affair—it’s a story that drags Adam’s shadow into every conversation, even if Adam isn’t physically racing alongside him.
Off the bike, their bond is still tight. The two talk regularly, swap notes about rival riders, and look out for each other. But on the road, factors like injuries, contracts, and team goals have pulled their destinies apart. That’s the nature of pro cycling—sometimes you ride for yourself, sometimes you’re the right-hand man.
For fans, there’s a bitter taste of what-ifs: What if Adam had lined up at this year’s Giro? Would the two have played tactical games with the peloton, like they did as juniors? Or has the sport moved past the days of seeing both Yates twins light up Italian mountain roads at the same time?
For now, Simon’s fight for the pink jersey is front and center. Adam’s journey runs parallel—sometimes intersecting, sometimes not. Their starts may have been identical, but the routes they’ve taken prove that destiny plays favorites, even with twins.