Simon Yates has said he intended no disrespect to any of his Giro rivals in his comments on the eve of the race.
He clarified his remarks after Vincenzo
Nibali said the riders vying for victory on the race should have respect for
each other.
At times Yates is regarded as
conservative in his approach to the media; often appearing uncomfortable when being
interviewed.
However, he has gone into this Giro as
Vuelta champion and one of the favourites for the overall title in Italy.
And when he met the media just before
the race began, he uncharacteristically threw caution to the wind in his
replies to questions.
Asked who was the top favourite for the
title this year he replied: “Me”.
He added that if he was in any of his rivals shoes “I would be scared, I’d be shitting myself.”
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However, Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) wasn’t all that impressed when he was asked about the Briton's remarks.
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“I’m interested in seeing how Yates
performs because he said we all need to ‘go to the toilet’,” he said.
“I don’t know if that’s what he exactly
what he said, things get blown up at the Giro.
“We’ve all got to show some respect for everyone who is fighting for victory in the Giro.”
After
the opening 8km TT, where Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) finished 2nd to Primoz
Roglic (Jumbo Visma), Yates was more conciliatory.
“I respect all my rivals greatly, I
didn’t mean to disrespect anybody if that’s how they’ve taken it,” Yates said.
“Maybe I should be the one shitting
myself then, from Roglič, he’s done a great ride today.”
However,
he added his initial remarks were made in an interview before a race that he
had been thinking of and working towards for a long time.
He
said he felt mixing a bit of “pepper” into interviews with the media was no
harm on such occasions.
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