We’re pretty sure this will go down as one of the sweetest birthdays of Simon Yates’ life. As he blows out 33 candles today, he might make a special wish – but his season already feels like a dream come true. His tears after that unforgettable solo raid on the Colle delle Finestre, followed by the joy, disbelief, and relief as he lifted the Trofeo Senza Fine into the Roman sky… those are moments that will live long in the memory of cycling fans.

“This is the peak of my career – especially now that age is catching up with me and the body’s not getting any younger,” Yates admitted after clinching the Maglia Rosa. At 33, the British climber and former Vuelta champion has now crowned a glittering career, boasting 38 victories, including the Giro d’Italia, La Vuelta a España, the Tirreno Adriatico, and various stage wins across all three Grand Tours.

And as if the Maglia Rosa weren’t enough, Yates added even more shine to his summer by claiming a stage at the Tour de France, attacking from far out and sealing the win atop Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy, before slipping into the role of super-domestique for team leader Jonas Vingegaard, who eventually rode onto the final podium in Paris with a well-earned second place.

Now it’s time for a well-deserved rest. After months of suffering and glory, Yates can finally ease off the pedals for a moment. His next big target could be the World Championships in Rwanda, with a course tailor-made for the pure climbers… but there’ll be time to think about that later. Today, it’s all about celebrating. Happy birthday Simon, you’ve earned every bit of it!