Visma-Lease a Bike is set to sign Simon Yates, ending his 11-year tenure with Jayco AlUla, the Australian team he joined as Orica GreenEDGE in 2014. Multiple sources, including Het Laatste Nieuws and La Gazzetta dello Sport, have confirmed the rumour of the Britonโs impending move.
Simon Yates, whose contract expires at the end of this season, is seeking a team where he can share leadership duties at major races. This aligns with his potential role at Visma, where he would join forces with Matteo Jorgenson, Sepp Kuss, and Cian Uijtdbeoreks, just below the overall leader and two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard. Despite Vingegaard being the primary leader, Yates could secure leadership opportunities at one-week WorldTour races, the Giro d’Italia, and the Vuelta a Espaรฑa.
Yates might find inspiration from his twin brother, Adam Yates, who has experienced a career resurgence since joining UAE Team Emirates. Adam has excelled as a domestique for Tadej Pogaฤar, achieving 10 wins, including the opening stage of the 2023 Tour de France, which saw him don the yellow jersey. Adam’s third-place finish at the Tour and his recent dominance at the Tour de Suisse alongside Joรฃo Almeida highlight the benefits of a supportive role.
Ben OโConnor is expected to join Jayco AlUla as their new GC leader, replacing Simon Yates. This shift marks a significant change for Jayco, which has seen Yates deliver remarkable successes, including an overall victory at La Vuelta a Espaรฑa in 2018, a podium at the Giro in 2021, and a career-best fourth place at last yearโs Tour de France.
In his time with Jayco, Yates has accumulated 33 wins at top races, including two stages at the Tour de France, six at the Giro d’Italia, and two at the Vuelta. He has also secured GC victories at Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of the Alps. At 31 years old, Simon Yates is ready for a new chapter with Visma after one last attempt at the Tour de France with Jayco this summer.
No official announcements will be made until the transfer window opens on August 1st, but expect to see Simon Yates in Visma colours in 2025.