From pausing career due to depression, former INEOS prodigy given future in the peloton by George Hincapie
Cycling
After stepping away from racing last year to focus on his mental health, Leo Hayter will return to the professional peloton in 2026 with the new Hincapie-backed Modern Adventure Pro Cycling project. The Briton, once seen as one of INEOS Grenadiers’ brightest stage-race prospects, joins the 20-rider UCI ProTeam spearheaded by Rich and George Hincapie, who have committed to a six-year plan to grow the American outfit.
Hayter, who in August 2024 revealed that he had been battling depression, anxiety and disordered eating, has not raced consistently since leaving INEOS, although he competed in two time trials towards the end of the 2025 season for Voster ATS Team. At the time, he wrote that he had “broken down this year and [had] not been training/racing for some time”, admitting it was unrealistic to continue with the team while recovering.
“I think we are a good programme for him on his way back. [There’s] no pressure; he can take his time finding that talent back. He’s a real diamond in the rough,” said Rich Hincapie, speaking to Cycling News.
The message fits the tone of Modern Adventure’s launch, which emphasises culture and community over short-term results. Rich Hincapie confirmed that he and his brother George are prioritising “a family atmosphere first; results will come later.”
A restart in a supportive environment
For Hayter, 24, this move marks a reset after a turbulent period since his breakthrough U23 Giro d’Italia victory in 2022. His decision to join the US-based squad gives him a low-pressure platform to rebuild confidence and form.
The team will hold its first gathering in Greenville, South Carolina this December, before heading to Girona for a winter camp in January. With staff including Alex Howes, Ty Magner, and Joey Rosskopf as directors, the Hincapies’ new project aims to blend WorldTour experience with a nurturing ethos.
“George and I are focusing on the culture and family atmosphere first; results will come later,” Rich Hincapie said. “Since we have a minimum six-year commitment, we have time to build it right.”
After the openness of his 2024 announcement, Hayter’s return represents more than just another transfer story — it’s a symbol of perseverance and of a sport increasingly willing to talk about mental health.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
claps 21visitors 11
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- JV is really slighting himself with not doing the 1 dayers.. 🤷
leedorney02-11-2026 - Watch the interview on youtube. I don't speak French. I do speak English and Spanish and you can hear it in his voice. Years ago LeMond had real personal problems I imagine in no small part because of Armstrong. then Armstrong goes round "full blast" re: LeMond having drinking and drug problems. The same way Andreu was expelled from mainstream cycling so was LeMond. On the positive side the clips of the ride and chatting with old teammates and was good. To seemed like a fun day and experience and good reason brush up his French.atom02-11-2026
- and another no-news article around the ‚2 tokyo jogging rounds‘ headline, this time spiced with some days old ‚news‘ that the LA and japan vacation trips come during or after the tdf route release. i am getting more and more annoyed by this time-stealing no-news crap. but who am i to complain? nobody forces me to come back for more ‚news‘ day after day …Ketterechts02-11-2026
- It would likely be a very steep section of 4.1 km, not changing the average gradient considerably, with the climb remaining 10.1 km at 11.8%. It would reach 20% on the gravel. It would start 1.6 km in, and finish with 4.2 km left to climb (before the short final descent)
Rafionain-Glas02-11-2026 - Welcome to the off-season.
santiagobenites02-11-2026 - guillaume martin in this list is quite a surprise as a gc rider.Ketterechts02-11-2026
- Who cares what Bruyneel thinks. He and his best mate Lance, the biggest fraud in the history of sport, have no place commenting on anything but how to lie and cheat!whit2pet02-11-2026
- Eeesh!Lozza02-11-2026
- bravo! a rider likes jonas needs motivation and he needs to believe in being able to reach goals. he - like anybody else in the world - doesn't believe that he can win the tdf with pogi present. and what's it worth for when pogi is not there? second class victory only. he has checked all three grand tours, so what is left if not retire? the classics! go for it, jonas!Ketterechts02-11-2026
- i am sure that under the pretext of medical examination a lot worse has happened when they were under.abstractengineer02-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment