"I'd like to win stages, hopefully" - Ethan Hayter confirms Vuelta a Espana presence and talks high ambitions

INEOS Grenadiers have not yet announced their lineup for the upcoming Vuelta a Espana, however it is a certainty at this point that Ethan Hayter will be a part of it, and the British all-rounder has talked about his ambitions already.

“There's obviously the job of helping the team for the GC - I don't think I'm going to be leading on that front," Hayter told Cyclingweekly. However, he confirmed his presence and Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a Espana, where he will ambition stage wins: "I'll go for stage opportunities myself, which is quite exciting. I’ll look at opportunities of winning within the race for the team".

Ever since turning professional with INEOS Grenadiers in 2020 Hayter has shown tremendous potential, specially taking into account his versatility. Thriving in the time-trials and hilly races, he also has the ability to sprint very well, an ideal skillset to have for the Vuelta where there will be a wide array of hilly days that will suit the Briton to perfection.

However the time-trials will also be an objective, as many of the world's best specialists will be missing. “Yeah, definitely - just because it's been something I've been working on. I do a lot of training on my TT bike. Even if I don't do the best ride, just from executing it well, technically, I'm always up there. I've been on the podium in most time trials this year, so it is definitely a strength," he added.

With Richard Carapaz set to target the GC and most of the team designed around those ambitions, Hayter will have a set of riders that will be able to climb well and support his own ambitions in the suiting days.

“I'd like to win stages, hopefully. The time trial is a good opportunity - it's 30k, pretty flat with a few kickers at the end. But there's plenty of other opportunities as well that could end up being good," Hayter concluded.