Adam Yates overtook everyone on the downhill and was the first to wear the yellow shirt

The first "owner" of the yellow jersey at the 110th Tour d'France is Adam Yates.

On the opening stage in Basque Bilbao, 182 kilometers long, the Briton worked for the team leader, Tadej Pogačar, with his club colleagues from the UAE Emirates, and on the last climb he was far behind the leaders.

On the descent, however, with the help of his brother Simon, who drives for the Jako Alula team, he took advantage of the fact that the leaders slowed down to catch up with them.

And then, at the very finish, he went on the attack and crossed the finish line first, which is why he earned an additional 10 seconds, as well as a prize of 11.000 euros.

"Honestly, I don't know what to say, I'm overjoyed. We were 'setting up' the climb for Tadej, he attacked, but everyone slowed down on the descent and I came back. I attacked from behind and my brother joined me, so we were able to work together. I didn't know if I was allowed to do that, so I asked people from my team and they told me to go to the finish line. I'm happy because of Simon, but I wish he understood this a little differently, because he almost knocked me down", said the leader of "Tura" with a smile.

Adam Yates wore the yellow jersey again in 2020, when he finished 9th, just like last year. He achieved his best placing in 2016, when he was fourth, and took the white shirt as the best young driver.

"I wore the yellow jersey for four stages in 2020 and it was a special period. But now I want to be firmly on the ground. Tadej is the boss, he proved that he is the best in the world, he will prove it during these three weeks. I am not the team leader, but Tadej's support. Everything revolves around him and I'm sure we will do a real job," said the 30-year-old from Buri.

His twin was four seconds late at the finish (eight when bonuses are factored in), with Pogačar third, leading the field of 12 riders 12 seconds behind.

But, the Slovenian got a bonus of four seconds, by which he is running away from his biggest rival for the most prestigious title in the world of cycling, Jonas Vingegord.

The second stage is also driven in the Basque Country, because tomorrow the drivers will cover 208,9 kilometers from Vitoria to San Sebastián.