Simon Yates’ win in La Vuelta means British cyclists have won the last five Grand Tours – triumphing in France, Italy and Spain – and nine of the last 21 editions of those races.
Yates follows fellow 2018 winners Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas into the history books.
Here Press Association Sport looks at British success in cycling’s most prestigious races since Sir Bradley Wiggins’ win at the 2012 Tour de France.
Tour de France – July 2012 (Wiggins win)
Tour de France – July 2013 (Froome win)
Tour de France – July 2015 (Froome win)
Tour de France – July 2016 (Froome win)
Tour de France – July 2017 (Froome win)
La Vuelta – September 2017 (Froome win)
Giro d’Italia – May 2018 (Froome win)
Yellow, red – and now pink. @chrisfroome makes history at #Giro101 with his third consecutive Grand Tour win. He never stopped believing on the road to Rome. An incredible sixth Grand Tour for an incredible rider ? pic.twitter.com/tDZ4FxV2sJ
— Team Sky (@TeamSky) May 27, 2018
With the salbutamol case unresolved at the time, Froome’s participation was controversial. But a stunning solo win on stage 19 saw Froome seize the leader’s pink jersey and with it a first British Giro success.
Tour de France – July 2018 (Thomas win)
La Vuelta – September 2018 (Yates win)
Uno?? Deux?? Tres??
3 British ?? Grand Tour winners! ? pic.twitter.com/Nuo0sAd0xN
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) September 16, 2018
Simon Yates is the first British Grand Tour winner not to ride for Team Sky, competing instead for Australia’s Mitchelton-Scott with his twin brother Adam. At 26, the prodigiously talented pair have plenty of opportunities to add to this success.
