Briton Simon Yates will lead a balanced Team BikeExchange-Jayco squad at the first Grand Tour of the 2022 season, the prestigious Giro d’Italia, a major goal for the 29-year-old and the Australian outfit.
After a whirlwind of experiences tackling the iconic Italian stage race, last year’s podium finisher Yates, lines-up ready to challenge for the overall victory on his fifth attempt.
A course & team that suits
With high mountains ranging from Etna to Blockhaus and the Marmolada, fast and flat stages, and a limited number of time trial kilometres, the 2022 route looks well suited to the tenacious Briton. With this, the Australian outfit has recruited versatile riders that can support Yates through an abundance of scenarios.
Protecting their leader throughout the three-week race will be Australian road captain Michael Hepburn, along with experienced powerhouses, in fellow Australian Callum Scotson and Dane Chris Juul-Jensen.
American and Italian time trial champions Lawson Craddock and Matteo Sobrero add to the capability of the team’s engine room, whilst Australian duo Damien Howson and Lucas Hamilton will provide crucial support for Yates on the climbs.
Experience & preparation
Learning from years of trial and error with many highs and lows from the race, including four Giro d’Italia stage wins and 13 days in the Maglia Rosa in 2018, Yates has followed a similar preparation template, beginning his season at altitude before building through target races.
With three stage victories under his belt so far this season and one of his best individual time trial performances to date at Paris-Nice, the Team BikeExchange-Jayco leader begins his 2022 Giro assault, having left no stone unturned, with all eyes on the top step of the podium in Verona in one month’s time.
Team BikeExchange-Jayco Line-Up:
Lawson Craddock (USA) – 2nd appearance
Lucas Hamilton (AUS) – 3rd appearance
Michael Hepburn (AUS) – 7th appearance
Damien Howson (AUS) – 3rd appearance
Chris Juul-Jensen (DEN) – 7th appearance
Callum Scotson (AUS) – 2nd appearance
Matteo Sobrero (ITA) – 3rd appearance
Simon Yates (GBR) – 5th appearance
Brent Copeland – General Manager
“The Giro d’Italia, it is always an exciting time of the year for us, even more so this year with the arrival of our team owner Gerry Ryan who has not been able to visit his team for the past few years due to the pandemic. So, it has been a long time coming, and we are all extremely delighted to be able to see him at the races once again.
This year’s Giro d’Italia is definitely going to be an exciting edition, not only because we are coming to the end of a few challenging years for cycling and finally we will get to see the fans in full force at this year’s race, but also there is a great depth of top riders this year who will all be racing for the general classification.
Our performance group and technical staff have selected a team which will ensure for some solid racing, and we look forward to contributing to the spectacle over the next three weeks.”
Matthew White – Head Sport Director
“The Giro d’Italia has been a big, big goal for the team over last few years and this year is no different. We have a really good squad with a lot of experience in Grand Tours and we will go into the Giro as one of the favourites for the race. It is a challenge we are looking forward to. Simon is coming off Vuelta Asturias and it was good preparation for him and for the rest of the team after an altitude block.
Thinking about the Giro, what we can always expect is a very tough back end to the race. The 2022 edition starts with three interesting stages in Hungary and after we will have a few challenges routes in the South of Italy with the Etna finish and with stage nine, climbing the hard Blockhaus.
Traditionally the Giro has always been the hardest of the three Grand Tours in the last week and this year is no different with many climbs in the Alps. Of course, the weather conditions can play a very important role, going from snow to very hot temperatures. One thing for sure is there’s always a surprise around every corner in the Giro and I think this is one of the attractions of the race and a reason we love it so much.”
Simon Yates – 3rd place in 2021:
“I have just finished the Vuelta Asturias and the two stage victories there have confirmed to me the good job done during the recent altitude training camp. I’ll be leaving for Budapest ready for my fifth Giro d’Italia. I still have memories of the great celebrations on the podium in Milan last year, and it wouldn’t be bad to re-live the same emotions again.
From the start in Hungary to the last stage in Verona on the 29th of May, the road will be long and tough, but I’m ready and I will have some great teammates with me.
A success in a way is not the end result. I want to go there in my best condition and do the best result possible. If I don’t win then, then that’s ok because somebody is better than me. If I go there and I am not at the level required, then that is a failure for me.
From an actual racing point of view, you always aim for the podium. We aim for the podium and once we get closer to the last week, we assess if we are in a position to win it or not, then we go at it from there”.
ON THE WHEEL 🎬
Before Yates embarks on his fifth Giro d’Italia attempt, you can follow his ‘Journey to the Giro’ through our three-part documentary series. Click on the episode titles to watch.
Episode 1 – The Boy from Bury
Episode 2 – The Racing Line
Episode 3 – Final Touches
Episode 4 – Giro d’Italia (coming)
2022 Giro d’Italia Race Details:
Friday, 6th May, Stage 1: Budapest – Visegrad, 195km
Saturday, 7th May, Stage 2: Budapest – Budapest, ITT, 9,2km
Sunday, 8th May, Stage 3: Kaposvar – Balatonfüred, 201km
Monday, 9th May, Rest Day
Tuesday, 10th May, Stage 4: Avola – Etna, 170km
Wednesday, 11th May, Stage 5: Catania – Messina, 174km
Thursday, 12th May, Stage 6: Palmi – Scalea, 192km
Friday, 13th May, Stage 7: Diamante – Potenza, 196km
Saturday, 14th May, Stage 8: Napoli – Napoli, 153km
Sunday, 15th May, Stage 9: Isernia – Blockhaus, 189kmMo
nday, 16th May, Rest Day
Tuesday, 17th May, Stage 10: Pescara – Jesi, 196km
Wednesday, 18th, Stage 11: Santarcangelo di Romagna – Reggio Emilia, 203km
Thursday, 19th May, Stage 12: Parma – Genova, 202km
Friday, 20th May, Stage 13: Sanremo – Cuneo, 150km
Saturday, 21st May, Stage 14: Santena – Torino, 147km
Sunday, 22nd May, Stage 15: Rivarolo Canavese – Cogne, 178kmMond
ay, 23rd May, Rest Day
Tuesday, 24th May, Stage 16: Salò – Aprica, 202km
Wednesday, 25th May, Stage 17: Ponte di Legno – Lavarone, 165km
Thursday, 26th May, Stage 18: Borgo Valsugana – Treviso, 146km
Friday, 27th May, Stage 19: Marano Lagunare – Santuario di Castelmonte, 178km
Saturday, 28th May, Stage 20: Belluno – Marmoloda (Passo Fedaia), 167km
Sunday, 29th May, Stage 21: Verona-Verona ITT, 17km
