'No explanation' for Yates time trial defeat in Giro d'Italia, says White
Mitchelton-Scott head sports director Matt White says he is at a loss to explain why Simon Yates fell off the pace so badly in the longest time trial of the Giro d'Italia on stage 9.
Yates was in good shape in the Giro d'Italia's opening time trial in Bologna, which, like Sunday's stage to San Marino, also began with a flat section then concluded with a tough climb.
But unlike in Bologna, the British rider shipped a considerable amount of time on stage winner Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) on Sunday, and as White told Cyclingnews, there was no clear reason why.
"I'm not sure, I've not got an explanation for you," White said. "He went out hard and then didn't have a good climb."
White brushed aside the idea that Yates' crash and minor injuries to his left side on stage 4 could have had an effect.
"Mate, we're not making any excuses," White said. "He crashed a few days ago, but it is what it is. We're looking forwards not backwards."
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