Lefevere not yet sold on Soudal-Quick Step newcomer Hayter: "Personally, it makes me feel uneasy"
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Follow us on GooglePatrick Lefevere may no longer be CEO of Soudal-Quick Step, but thanks to his weekly column in Het Nieuwsblad, his opinion on the team is never far away. The always outspoken Belgian has this time set his sights on Ethan Hayter, who joined from INEOS Grenadiers last winter and recently won two races for The Wolfpack. Lefevere is not yet convinced...
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Hayter was the fastest in the time trial of the Baloise Belgium Tour this month, where he also finished second in the overall classification. The 26-year-old British rider continued his good form at the British cycling championships, where he won the time trial gold for the third time. In 2024, he had already been the best in the road race.
Hayter's score of 0 was thus wiped off the board, but the fast rider does not yet convince Lefevere. This is not so much due to his qualities but rather because of his racing style. "I still think he's a special rider: a big engine, but always at the back of the peloton in a stage race. Our ‘poop sponsor’ Renson is on screen all the time, so they're benefiting from it."
Read more below the photo.
Hayter to time trial win in Baloise Belgium Tour
Lefevere feels uneasy about Hayter, and praises Evenepoel
There are, of course, many more riders who like to hang back in the peloton, but Lefevere is not a fan. “Personally, it makes me feel uneasy. Should Hayter go to the Tour? I wouldn't do it,” is his advice. A Tour selection doesn't make much sense either, as Hayter already completed the Giro d'Italia in May and then rode the Baloise Belgium Tour after a two-week rest.
In his column, he also praises Remco Evenepoel, who became the Belgian time trial champion.
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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