Sean yates: "I think we'll be unstoppable"
Hello Sean! We haven’t talked for awhile. Let’s look back at the 2008 season. For you, what was the highlight of the season?
There are a few that spring to mind. First is working with Andreas Kloden. He’s a true pro.
Also the return to form of Jani Brajkovic. It has been a while since he had the leaders jersey in the Vuelta and great things were expected of him after that, but it did not happen. It hasn’t been easy for him. But he persisted, and the result was he returned to form, culminating with that second place in Lombardy. I am happy for him.
Another highlight was battling for the overall Pro Tour team GC in Plouay, Germany, Hamburg and Poland with Neil Stephans and his Caisse d’Epargne team. It was fun and very, very tight in the end. The riders in those races gave it their all despite (for example) the weather and general conditions in Poland being bad.
The team was so successful. Do you think we can repeat the success?
I think next year will be even better. We have some good riders coming up. For example, Michael Schar and Gregory Rast can do great things. We also have the return to form of Jani plus Popo coming to the team. That boy is smooth. Levi has grown in confidence, and knows he can win a big one. And of course the return of Lance. That will motivate everybody to lift their game. I think we will be unstoppable.
You’ve been working as a director for a few years now. How would you rate your success as a director and do you feel like you are still learning new things about your job?
Yes, it’s been getting on for ten years since I started as a DS. I think my success has been good, not only on the result side of things, but also my relations with the riders, which I think is my best asset. For sure they respect me because of what I achieved as a rider, as a professional, but also as an amateur. For example, when I was 46 I broke the tandem competition record for 12 hours with the late Zak Carr, recording 490 kms in bad conditions. Ok, they might think I am a bit mental, but you still got to do it!
Do you still train on a bike yourself? How much do you train?
My riding when not at a race is sporadic and all depends on how much time I have. I have the most time when I am actually at races. Then I try to go out every morning, early, around 6 am. I just get up and go for between one and two hours. I like it best when we are in the mountains. I rode the Marmalada on the morning when Alberto took the pink jersey in the Giro this year. I rode the Plan de Corones the other year, the morning after the riders were supposed to but could not because the stage was cancelled due to bad weather. This year in the Giro I rode the transfer on the second rest day. It took me 10 hours; I blew up after 6…ouch!
Have you looked at the Tour route yet?
I haven’t really looked at it. I only know it goes up the Ventoux on the second to last day, that there is a TTT down south and that it finishes in Paris. I don't think we will have any problems winning it. We could have 6 in the first 10. And I am not being blasé.
Sean and Lance on the Motorola team
Of course Lance is coming back to the team and I know you’ve worked with him before. What do you think about his return and do you think he will be competitive? What was your initial reaction to the news that he was coming back to racing?
I have known Lance since 92 when I first trained and roomed with him when we were both on Motorola. I was slightly surprised that he decided to come back, but at the same time not really. He likes a challenge that's for sure and he certainly is not stupid. He knows what he needs and can do to be competitive and I am 110% sure he will be and that he will win. The Giro should be good. With the return of Ivan (Basso) and Sastre it should be about the best of the big Tours.
You work with some of the younger riders, don’t you? How do you think the young Kazakh riders have done on the team so far?
I work with anybody really but of course the younger riders need more advice. I got Gusev on the team, and his dismissal was the low point of the season for me. The Kazak riders are doing ok. Roman is a good rider, also Zeits. Baza is a talent who did not perform up to expectations for the majority of the season. He is a true talent and we are working with him in hope that he reaches his potential. With the multi-nationalities on the team, it is an additional challenge with all the languages. We are one of the most international teams in the Pro Tour and this is something that many teams don’t have to deal with. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that we are so diverse, but people often forget that having 30 riders from 14 countries is an inherent challenge. All in all I think we can and will progress.
I know you had some health issues a few years ago. Can you tell us how you are now?
Yes, I have had a heart problem since 2003 which has reared its head a few times since then, the last time being at the beginning of last year. I was told then by the specialist to put on 5 kilos and stop riding my bike and live like Marquis - he was Spanish! No chance of that! But I did take 3 months off. Since then, as I said, I do ride, and I also race. This year it’s been mainly on the track down in Brighton where my brother and I try to put one over on the youngsters out there. My strength is my determination. On the track I always attack from the gun which really annoys all the other riders. But I know if they have an easy ride they will always come round me in the gallop so I go early.
Sean giving it his all with the 7-Eleven team
How did you get your start in cycling?
My dad was always interested in cycling. I lived on my bike, mainly riding on the forest with my brother and friends and we always seemed to end up racing. It seemed natural to join a club and within 5 years I was riding as a professional with Peugeot.
What would you say was the highlight of your career?
Wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour I guess would be a moment especially because everybody was happy for me. I was a rider that mainly worked for others. Also 5th in the 94 Paris Roubaix, which was rated at number 2 in one magazine as the toughest classic of all time. Also the TT win in the Tour; I’m the only Brit to have done that.
Can you tell us a little bit about your family—you have children, don’t you? How are they?
I have 3 children: Liam, Jesse and Bathsheba and they are 15, 13 and 8. They are good. Liam is really into BMX; he has about 6 of them. Jesse is football mad, and is top scorer for his team at the moment. Bathsheba is mad for High School Musical at the moment, and Teddy Bears -- she has hundreds.
What did you do in the off season?
My off season has been full. I’ve divided my time between my house in Uckfield Sussex and southern Germany where my girlfriend lives bear the Black Forest where it’s fantastic for riding the bike. When I am home I am flat out cutting hedges, no time for riding the bike. And of course looking after my kids. We are all mad Arsenal supporters. The last few winters I have played, but can't this year because I just don't have the time and that annoys me. I have my website too: seanyates.co.uk. I coach riders and do day rides and stuff. I have just gone into partnership with Jon Sharples at trainsharp.co.uk and am also head cycling consultant at theTrilife.com. I don’t have set plans for the holidays yet but I hope to get some skiing in before the winter is out. I have a motor bike which I thrash around on now and then, dodging speed cameras. Sometimes I go to Brands Hatch race track and do track days, which is fun.
Some of the fans know your dad from the fan forums—how is he doing?
My dad is good. And I will see him next week for the first time for a couple of years. Without him I would never have gotten where I am today. One time when he was preparing my bike, he went down into the cellar when it was light outside, and did not come out again until the following morning, when it was again light. That’s dedication for you.
What do you like most about your job? If you weren’t doing this what other type job do you think you would do?
I love cycling and being on the road. It ’s what I have always done. I am not sure what I would have done if I had not been a cyclist. But I would work outside for sure. I love the fresh air.
Any special message for the fans?
Keep the faith.
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