A thrilling brotherly battle sees Adam edge Simon to win the first stage of the 2023 Tour de France

In an electrifying start to the 2023 Tour de France, Adam Yates emerged as the surprise winner of the opening stage, narrowly defeating his twin brother, Simon, to claim the coveted yellow jersey. The stage, which began and ended in Bilbao, saw the Yates brothers lead the pack through the scenic 182km route, with Adam finishing just four seconds ahead of Simon.

The brothers from Bury put on a thrilling display of teamwork and individual skill, with Adam crossing the finish line in 4 hours, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds. The victory not only gave Adam the stage win but also the overall race leader’s yellow jersey. Simon, his closest competitor, finished in second place, making it a memorable 1-2 finish for the Yates family.

Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates, the pre-race favorite, finished third, trailing Adam by 12 seconds. Thibaut Pinot and Michael Woods rounded out the top five, with Jonas Vingegaard, the defending champion, finishing in ninth place.

This stage victory was a breakthrough moment for Adam Yates, who had long been overshadowed by his brother’s successes in previous years. His victory was a testament to his preparation and determination to make his mark in this year’s Tour.

As the race continues, all eyes will be on the Yates brothers and how they handle the pressure of the coming stages, with Adam now holding the lead in what promises to be a closely contested race.