Ethan Hayter was named the most combative rider of the race for the third time in ten road stages, after being the main animator on the roads to Lorca.
The British ITT Champion, runner-up on the opening day time trial, zipped clear together with three other riders just a few minutes into the stage and stayed off the front for more than 70 kilometers before being overhauled by the peloton. After that surge of pace, the bunch relented and Ethan took advantage of that to go again and put almost one minute into the chasers.
Riding his second Grand Tour, the 27-year-old was caught just before the only climb of the day, but not before clocking 400 breakaway kilometers at this edition of La Vuelta. His efforts were rewarded with another most combative prize, the third at this edition and the most a rider has received since the start of the race.
“It was nice to give it a try, but they kept us really close the first time. Then I went again, hoping they would hesitate a bit, but the bunch reeled us in, which wasn’t quite a surprise with that tailwind they had. Nevertheless, I am happy with how I felt and with being again on the podium at the end of the day”, Ethan said after the finish.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
