Interview Sean Yates

Sean Yates is the UK's only continental director sportif. Sean had a fifteen year professional racing career and when he stopped he took to management with a few UK teams before he joined Bjarne Riis as a Director Sportif with the CSC squad. He then became a member of Johan Bruyneel's management team at Discovery and followed him to Astana in 2008, where he is a strong element in the 'new broom' organisation of Astana.

Sean still races with InGear and can be found at many events handing out prizes

Sean sums up his career on his website; "I was a European professional from 1982 to 1996. I rode for four teams: Peugeot 1982-1986; Fagor 1987-1988; 7-Eleven 1989-1990; and Motorola 1991-1996. My biggest wins included a time trial stage of the Tour de France (1988), a stage win in the Tour of Spain (1988), the Tour of Belgium (1989), the GP Eddy Merckx time trial (1989), and the USPRO champs (1994). I wore the yellow jersey in the 1994 Tour de France — only the third British rider to do so after Tom Simpson and Chris Boardman. Paris-Roubaix was one of my favourite Classics and I had placings of 5th (1994), 8th (1993), 11th (1995) and 13th (1992). I was second in the 1989 Ghent-Wevelgem. I finished the Tour de France 12 times from 15 starts. My 12 finishes ranks me 15th in the all-time finisher’s list.

We talked to Sean in February 2008 about the 'art' of cycle management, and before the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia organisers had declined to invite the Astana team to compete, which he has expressed great disappointment.

What was your relationship like with your Director Sportif like when you began professional racing?
Sean Yates - It was very difficult, I was a foreigner on the biggest French team led by the legendary Maurice de Muer. He had an aura about him and was very intimidating. Thankfully I didn't speak French well and most went over my head.

What is the biggest difference?
Sean Yates - There was little respect for the riders and much shouting, but now things have changed a lot. Now that I am a Director Sportif I try to relate to the riders and support them rather than belittle them.

How do you go about doing that?
Sean Yates - You have to work at it, to motivate and reassure the riders.

How do you keep track of the riders moods?
Sean Yates - I spend a a lot of time with the riders, we almost live together and you get to know them. By being aware of their needs you get to know when to act and work out what's best for them and the team. Each rider has a role and it's my job to make it work.

Sean at work, pic courtesy of SeanYates.co.uk

How important is your past experience as a rider?
Sean Yates- I still compete and I have a reputation as being as hard as nails and the riders respect me for that. Nine times out of ten they will do their best and they know they have my respect for doing that. A good team spirit is vital and they also know that I will act if anyone rides or acts against that team spirit.

How is the new set going as members of the old Discovery Channel come together with the Astana squad?
Sean Yates - It will take time to get the thing on the road. I have got to know most of the riders over the years and for them it's a job, and they know their responsibility to pull their weight as professionals and make it work.

How do you keep check on a race?
Sean Yates - Very closely, we have a daily plan for a race or stage and by using your experience you have an awareness of what might happen and try to be ready if the scenario begins to unravel.

How important are radio's?
Sean Yates - I can't quite remember fully what it was like before radio's other than that it was a nightmare and hairy as DS's vied to move forward to their riders and the like! I don't think radio's spoil the races as who dares normally wins, with or without them.

I'm Proud
Sean Yates - Most Director Sportifs are ex-riders and I am proud that I am the first and only Englishman at Tour level and have worked with the best teams on the planet.

Sean's website - www.seanyates.co.uk/