"I certainly got my ass kicked this week, but that was to be expected," said Brit Simon Yates in his typically succinct analysis of what the 2024 Volta a Catalunya was like for him personally.

However, the Jayco Eyewear Pro did everything in its power to help teammate Chris Harper finish in the top six overall, and is looking forward to a busy April race and a return to the Tour de France in the distant future.

Yates has had a very strong start to the year with a dominant win at the AIUIa Tour. However, as he told Cycling News at the Volta a Catalunya, he then fell ill.

"I'm fine. Unfortunately, I got a little bit sick. I contracted some sort of virus and it took a while to heal," Yates said at the start of the race.

During the next seven days in Catalunya, he served as Harper's support for the team. And in Yates' opinion, a race like Volta is the perfect opportunity to return the favor for Harper's hard work.

"I definitely got my butt kicked, but that was to be expected. Before stage 7, Yates told Cycling News. But I knew Chris Harper was doing well, so I came here to support him."

The role of advisor is not entirely new for Yates, now 31, but it is definitely in demand this week.

"I enjoy helping Chris. I'm happy to be able to give that back. But for now, it's the best I can do with my legwork."

Asked about a day when he felt like he was approaching a turning point, Yates said he had completed each stage as it came along. Or, in his own words, "I had the best days possible and did the best I could."

The next race will be another Yates-like affair, with lots of climbing and a return to the Tour de France.

He will do the GP Miguel Indurain (the race he won in 2017) before taking on Iturria-Basque and the Ardennes Classics. After that, preparations for July will begin in earnest.