Firstly, totally delighted for Yates. Just as happy for him as I was for Thomas at the Tour (and indeed Froome at the Giro). He’s an exciting rider to watch (and is getting tactically better), has improved his time trialing hugely and comes across as a thoroughly nice bloke.
One thing that struck me though (and I’ve noticed this in a lot of races) is that while Britain seems to be great at winning races, when you look down beyond first place there are generally very few other Brits anywhere close. In the Vuelta for example the next Brit is 62nd (I think). Whereas there are always loads of French, Spanish, Belgian, Colombians (increasingly), Italians etc.
A curious anomaly that we seem to be great at winning races, but there still doesn’t look to be the same strength in depth as other countries. My one theory is that Sky are absolutely focussed on getting one bloke on the top step and every other rider is sacrificed to that end, with their overall position being of no importance. Though against that is the fact Sky don’t usually have that many Brits in a team.
Anyway, just my vague ramblings. We’ll be opening a nice Rioja this afternoon and toasting Simon’s brilliant victory.
