Hayter sprints into Algarve lead

06 May 2021

Hayter sprints into Algarve lead

Volta ao Algarve stage two: Sagres › Fóia (182.8km)

Ethan Hayter stormed into the race lead at Volta ao Algarve by rounding off a memorable team performance with a well-timed sprint victory on stage two. 

Hayter was part of a three-pronged Grenadiers offensive on the Alto da Foia summit finish, perfectly timing his sprint following selfless work from Ivan Sosa and Sebastian Henao to setup the decisive move. 

Sosa and Henao had escaped from a dwindling peloton in the closing kilometres to form a small escape group, before Hayter joined them from the chasing pack. 

The Grenadiers made their numerical advantage count as Sosa and Henao took turns in pushing the pace before Hayter was able to time his final sprint to perfection to take his third professional win and move into the race lead.  
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I owe it to the team who were in the perfect position all day, and Sosa and Seb made the difference on the last climb."
Reaction 

Ethan Hayter

"I won in Coppi e Bartali a few weeks ago, so knew I was going well,  my aim today was to limit my losses, but to win was really special. I owe it to the team who were in the perfect position all day, and Sosa and Seb made the difference on the last climb. 

"It was perfect for me as it was a headwind most of the way and I felt good following in the wheels. I was trying to hide in the wheels for a bit, then Sosa and Seb both followed an attack and they were away with four guys. I looked and everyone around me was done and I’d just been following, so I actually jumped across to [Seb and Ivan] myself and it was full gas.

"I’d really like to do a good time trial. It was actually what I was looking forward to my plan was to limit my losses on the climbs and do a good time trial and see where that left me, but it couldn’t have gone better today."
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Stage result and overall standings

1. Ethan Hayter (INEOS Grenadiers) 4:48:43
2. João Rodrigues (W52 / FC Porto) s.t.
3. Jonathan Lastra (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) s.t.
4. Élie Gespert (Team Arkéa Samsic) +4"
5. Ivan Sosa (INEOS Grenadiers) +9"
6. Seb Henao (INEOS Grenadiers) +20"