'He's given me a few tricks and tips' – Giro d'Italia GC contender Adam Yates garners advice and tactics from brother Simon's victory

Adam Yates, the designated sole GC leader for UAE Team Emirates-XRG at the upcoming Giro d'Italia following João Almeida's withdrawal, has confirmed he is receiving tactical advice from his twin brother, Simon Yates. The 31-year-old, who finished third at last year's Tour de France, hopes to leverage Simon's 2018 Giro victory experience as he prepares to lead his team's challenge for the *Maglia Rosa*. This direct consultation underscores a familial transfer of knowledge ahead of one of cycling's Grand Tours.

This familial counsel is particularly pertinent given Adam's elevated status within UAE Team Emirates. With Almeida sidelined, the pressure on Yates to deliver a Grand Tour GC result for the powerhouse squad has intensified. Simon's 2018 Giro triumph, a masterclass in aggressive, opportunistic racing, offers a unique blueprint for navigating the Italian three-week race, especially for a rider like Adam, who shares similar physiological characteristics and a penchant for attacking. It's a pragmatic move to tap into a proven, albeit related, resource.

Ultimately, whether Simon's "tricks and tips" translate into a Giro victory for Adam remains to be seen. But in a sport where marginal gains are paramount, a brother's hard-won experience is certainly a more reliable resource than a crystal ball.