The 33-year-old stunned the cycling world by announcing his retirement on Wednesday, but the understated, unexpected move is quintessentially Simon Yates

Larry Warbasse didn't know about Yates' retirement when he sat down to talk to Cyclingnews outside the Tudor team hotel in Moraira on the central Costa Blancas coast. The US rider is 35 and like Yates has been a professional for over a decade.

With the retirement of Simon Yates, the 2026 season has already suffered a major shock. The Brit leaves Visma | Lease a Bike after just one year, and his departure leaves a significant gap within the Dutch squad.