Ethan Hayter forced to cut Vuelta green skinsuit after being given size XS: 'My legs could breathe again'
CyclingSunday, 23 August 2026 at 23:03
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Follow us on GoogleEthan Hayter went all or nothing in stage 2 of the Vuelta a España on Sunday, and ultimately came away with nothing. The Soudal Quick-Step Brit had missed out on both the stage victory and the red leader's jersey in Saturday's opening time trial by just nine hundredths of a second, so he went looking for revenge. With his shorts cut open, Hayter was able to dream for a long time, but in the end he came up short.
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Hayter produced an excellent time trial on Saturday and, despite Tadej Pogačar narrowly getting the better of him, the British time trial champion took plenty of encouragement from his performance. "I feel like I gave everything I had. I'm happy to have started the race with a podium and such good shape," he said afterwards.
For a while, it looked as though he might carry that momentum into the second day of the Vuelta. Hayter collected six bonus seconds from the breakaway at the intermediate sprint, meaning he started the finale as the virtual red jersey. Visma | Lease a Bike, however, pushed the pace hard with Wout van Aert and Matthew Brennan, and Hayter eventually lost contact with the leading group.
By the finish, Hayter had conceded 31 seconds and with that went his chance of taking the red jersey. Perhaps the solo attack he launched after the intermediate sprint proved one effort too many. "I thought to myself: I've already been riding at the front all day, so I might as well not give up without a fight."
As a result, Hayter was no longer there when the peloton swept past and the finale went all-out. "I tried to recover once I was back in the peloton, but I was really hot and the speed was too high. Taking the red jersey would have been fantastic, but I gave it everything." Pogačar ultimately retained the race lead, with Hayter dropping to 13th overall.
Continue reading below the video
Hayter cuts open shorts from green Vuelta kit
Full credit for the attempt, but Hayter ultimately ended the day empty-handed. "We wanted to go for the red jersey because you don't get that many opportunities in a Grand Tour. I didn't expect to be able to sprint into the top three, so I had nothing to lose. I used a lot of energy early in the stage, and I paid for that later."
The Vuelta organisers may have something else to answer for, however, because Hayter was forced to cut open the shorts of his green kit during the stage. "The organisation gave me an XS because they didn't have anything else. I was allowed to wear my own kit as well, but I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to wear green." Velon subsequently highlighted the unusual wardrobe modification after the stage.
"During the race, though, the shorts were getting in the way. The blood flow to my upper legs was so bad that I had to cut them open. It looked a little ridiculous, but at least my legs could breathe again."
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- - Van Aert vs Pedersen again? Sign me up. Their Giro ’25 battles were epic, and Manosque suits Mads’ diesel sprint. If Lidl–Trek control the run‑in, he’s favourite. Vamos, Pedersen!julien21-08-2026
- - Great piece, but small nitpick: you mention “read more below the photo” and there’s a stray “p” in there—bit messy editing. Also, are we sure about back-to-back Provence wins in 2024 and 2025? Thought 2024 was certain, 2025 was a different profile?cadencekingm21-08-2026
- - Quick question: when he says “red jersey isn’t a goal,” does that mean he won’t contest the TT fully if splits risk fatigue, or is it just he won’t defend it if he gets it by accident?cyclechamp4521-08-2026
- - Five to seven sprint/punchy chances sounds about right, but some of those “tough stages” might be borderline for him if the break goes long. Positioning will be everything. Allez Mads!samanthak21-08-2026
- - Love the honesty from Mads. Target the stages, help Skjelmose for GC—clear plan. Monaco TT could even surprise, he’s been sharp against the clock lately.patriciaw21-08-2026
- - Vamos Pogi! Conoce cada curva en Monaco. Pero ojo, TT técnica + calor = errores fáciles. Força campeón, pero respeto a los demás, la Vuelta nunca es “fácil.”davidm21-08-2026
- - The article undersells recovery. Two peak blocks so close—Tour into Vuelta—then Worlds/Euros/Lombardia? That’s brutal. Not sure UAE can control all three weeks if he tries to bank energy.cyclechamp4521-08-2026
- - Starting in Monaco suits him, but I don’t see him taking red day one. Specialists like Evenepoel or Ganna (if selected) should be quicker on a twisty prologue. The real gaps will come on the first summit finish.bikebuffj21-08-2026
- - Is it normal that riders can’t sleep at home if the race passes their city? How do they enforce that? Curious how strict the Vuelta is on that rule.andrewf21-08-2026
- - Love Tadej’s attitude shutting down the “weak field” narrative. Roglič, Ayuso, Evenepoel’s TT form, and a stacked Ineos make this anything but easy. Monaco TT could be spicy with those technical corners.pedalpowe2921-08-2026
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