Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) recently revealed that after starting the season with three races in Australia, including the Tour Down Under, he will target the 2020 Giro d'Italia and the Tokyo Olympics.

Following the announcement, Cycling News spoke with the 27-year-old Englishman about his plans for the upcoming season, including a look back at the early part of the season, why he chose the Giro over the Tour, and his assessment of his medal chances at next summer's road race in Tokyo.

Cyclingnews: How is your training going for next season?

Simon Yates: I have been training for a long time now. This year I took a break early in the season and have been training well since then. I just got back from Gran Canaria and will be going to Australia in January to prepare before the race starts.

I'm looking forward to it. The Tour Down Under is our home race. Everyone is very motivated and we enjoy the atmosphere of the race. The last time we went to Australia was in 2013 and we had a really good year. Hopefully we can run in a similar situation again.

CN: Did you feel it was a much needed vacation?

SY: I think so. At that point I was tired after two Grand Tours. I could have finished the season and only raced twice or something like that. I feel like I went a little bit extra. I had already done what I needed to do, so it all worked out.

CN: How would you rate the 2019 campaign?

SY: It was kind of hit or miss. We had some good wins, but we also missed our main goal, which was the Giro d'Italia. That's the way it is. There is nothing else to say. I tried to arrive at the Giro d'Italia in good shape, and I meant to, but obviously it wasn't enough. I'll try again next year.

CN: Why did you choose the Giro over the Tour de France for 2020?

SY: For me personally, I think the Giro is the best way. Of course, it is not the only way. The way the program is put together, it all works. For me, going to the Tour means being a little too short to get over jet lag and get used to the conditions.

CN: Without mentioning the Olympics, what do you like about the Giro?

SY: It's not a big one, but I really like the passion of the organizers and the fans. It's a very different atmosphere than the other two Grand Tours in that respect, and I really like that. And with the success of 2018, I would love to go back and try to win again, and I really do.

CN: The Giro has a 58.8km time trial. How do you feel about the route?

SY: Definitely one of the most important parts of the race. It's a very hard course, as always. I don't think there is any "easy" course in the Giro. I think the time trial is the biggest part of the race.

Every year I see the top riders getting closer and closer on the climbs. There is a difference in the time trial. Time trials are definitely very important and I will continue to work hard to keep improving. I've improved every year since I turned pro, so hopefully I can keep it up.

CN: How are you preparing for the Giro?

SY: I'm going to race differently than I have in the past. I will ride the Coppi e Bartali to get a feel for the Italian roads and racing. The race is smaller, but there are a lot of TTs and individual time trials, so I spend a lot of time on the TT bike in the race; I train on the TT bike a lot, but in the race maybe three times a year. It's important for me to get some time on the bike in the Giro, because I've been training on the TT bike a lot, but only three times a year in the race.

CN: How are you preparing for Tokyo?

SY: As for the race, I don't know yet. Probably the Tour de Pollogne. I would like to leave early to get used to the conditions and overcome jet lag. Personally, I think that's the best way.

I haven't ridden the course yet. But I am looking at the course and the profile. That's one of the reasons I want to get out on the course early and get used to it.

CN: Will you be heading there for a medal?

SY: Yes. We [Great Britain] only have a small team of four, so I think whoever goes out will be a strong team. I don't know if they will be in the Tour or not.

I don't know yet who will be there or if I will be there. I need to make sure I have my space. But when I was a kid I wanted to be an Olympian. But when I was a kid I wanted to be an Olympian.