Imagine winning five time trials in a single year, yet still feeling like something is holding you back. That's the reality Ethan Hayter faced in 2025, despite his impressive victories and near-miss at the Tour of Belgium. On the surface, his debut season with Soudal-QuickStep looked like a triumph, a return to the form that made him a standout at Ineos Grenadiers. But here's where it gets controversial: behind the scenes, a nutrition issue threatened to derail his progress, highlighting the hidden struggles even the most successful athletes face.
Ethan Hayter, the affable and soft-spoken British rider, is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. Now in the final year of his Soudal-QuickStep contract, he’s shifting his focus to a race program tailored to his strengths: time trials and sprinting in hilly terrain. And this is the part most people miss: while he’s skipping the Tour de France this year, despite its opening team time trial in Barcelona, he’s setting his sights on the Vuelta a España and a series of one-week stage races in 2026.
“I’m targeting more one-week races this year,” Hayter explained. “Most of them include a time trial, and hopefully, some reduced sprints where I can compete at my best.” His schedule is packed but strategic: the UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico, Basque Country, and the Tour de Romandie. “On paper, it doesn’t seem like much, but the race days add up quickly,” he noted. “I’ll have two or three weeks between races to recover and prepare, which should help me arrive in top shape.”
At 27, Hayter has faced his share of setbacks, from missing out on the Tour de France to a heartbreaking slip in the 2024 Paris Olympics team pursuit final. Yet, he’s always fought back quietly, driven by his passion for the sport. His track record speaks for itself: Omnium and Team Pursuit world champion in 2022, and a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. But his love for track racing remains undimmed.
“I’d like to do more track racing, to be honest,” he admitted. “It’s a nice change of pace. The Omnium or Madison—those are pure racing. No team tactics, just raw competition stripped down to its essence.” However, this is where the system fails riders: UCI calendars and qualification rules make it nearly impossible to balance WorldTour road racing with track events.
Hayter’s goals are clear: ride the Tour de France in 2027 when it starts in Britain, and compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic track events. “I’ve hopefully got quite a few years left in my career,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to retire without experiencing the Tour de France. Next year would be perfect.”
But here’s the thought-provoking question: Is the current system fair to riders like Hayter, who excel in multiple disciplines? Shouldn’t there be more flexibility for athletes to pursue their passions without being penalized by scheduling conflicts? Let’s discuss—do you think the UCI should reconsider its rules to support multi-discipline riders? Share your thoughts in the comments!
