There's more than a Vuelta victory riding on stage 18 for soon-to-be-team-less Ethan Hayter: 'Just how the sport works'

The world of cycling can be ruthless at times. One moment you’re one of the sport’s most sought-after talents; the next, you’re struggling to find a new team. That’s the situation Ethan Hayter finds himself in. The British rider from Soudal Quick-Step made his mark at the front of the pack at the Vuelta a España, but his future is still uncertain.

And all this while he’s not even feeling his best. The heat has really taken its toll on Hayter over the past few days. “I was really suffering in that heat, and especially the humidity,” he told Cyclingnews before the start of Stage 15. “A few days ago, I was… I thought I wouldn’t make it these last few days. But I got through it, and today I woke up feeling a little better.”

It’s a stark contrast to Hayter’s performance in the first week. In the opening time trial, he fell just nine hundredths of a second short of victory and the red jersey, and subsequently went on the attack frequently to rack up points for the green jersey. Those were nice boosts, but things aren’t going nearly as well for the time trialist these days.

Is he satisfied with his Vuelta? “It depends. I mean, as a team, the guys are riding really well. I just haven’t really been able to do much. The last three days, in particular, were the worst. I felt feverish and sick, and I was constantly hanging onto the support car to get water. Yesterday was a little better, but the day before that I was in a group of seven that barely made it to the finish. Half of them have already gone home. So I’m just trying to survive.”

Missing out on the win in the first stage really hurt, but I also kept in mind that another chance would come. The 18th stage of the Vuelta a España is another time trial, this time covering 32 kilometers. Tadej Pogačar, who won in Monaco, is out of the race after his withdrawal. That naturally makes Hayter the next man to beat.

"I think you stay in the race to give it a shot, and there are definitely more opportunities. Like today, hopefully," he said on Sunday. "I'm feeling better and better, and I can race a little more now. Of course, Thursday is a big opportunity for me and for the team, and we've come close to a win with some good results. We'll keep trying."

A victory in the Vuelta would be Hayter’s first win in a Grand Tour, but it would also be a huge boost for his future. The Brit is still unsure about where he’ll be racing next year. “This is the first time I’ve been in a situation like this. I was always under contract, or I was already pretty sure where my future lay. But that’s part of the sport.”

So a win in Jerez de la Frontera would be especially nice. “It definitely helps. Personally, I find it frustrating that a single result can sometimes have such a big impact—because, unfortunately, that’s the reality. But as a rider, it doesn’t really matter what I do on Thursday. It doesn’t change what I’m capable of over the next two years, but that’s just how the sport works.”