"Always at the back of the peloton" - Patrick Lefevere criticial of Quick-Step's British champion Ethan Hayter

Ethan Hayter is a rider that in recent years has somewhat struggled with positioning when it comes to his sprinting ability and often he is now seen at the back of the peloton. Whilst not necessarily something bad in several occasions, it is not something that former Soudal - Quick-Step manager Patrick Lefevere is fond of and the Belgian has been very vocal of it in his most recent weekly column.

"I still think he's a special rider: a big engine, but always at the back of the peloton in a line-up," Lefevere wrote for Het Nieuwsblad. "Our 'poo sponsor' (he refers to the sponsor in the back of the shorts, ed.) Renson is in the picture all the time, so they benefit from it". Lefevere has mixed feelings from the British champion, whom it seems does not take full advantage of his talent on the bike.

"Personally, it gives me the creeps. Should Hayter go to the Tour? I wouldn't do it," he adds. The statement does not seem to make the most sense either however as the Briton is unlikely to even be an option after racing the full Giro d'Italia, and now both Baloise Belgium Tour and national championships in June.

Hayter has however proven that he is still a top talent in the peloton, beating none other than Filippo Ganna in the Belgium Tour's time-trial before going on to finish second in the overall classification, and already this week winning the British time-trial title. Regarding national championships Lefevere will be watching closely the action in Belgium where the team will have Tim Merlier and Remco Evenepoel as options to get back the jersey before the Tour de France.

He comments on Evenepoel's chances of doubling up, after he won the time-trial event this Friday: "A course without much relief and with cobblestones is not his cup of tea, but in a Belgian peloton he is in a class of his own. Even if Wout van Aert participates".