“It’s unfortunate because he was going really well”: Leo Hayter’s comeback halted by pericarditis ahead of Tour de Langkawi
Cycling
Leo Hayter arrived in Malaysia with his comeback gathering momentum. However, instead of lining up at the Tour de Langkawi, the 25-year-old was forced to fly back to Europe after being diagnosed with pericarditis, abruptly ending his planned participation in the eight-day race.
Hayter had traveled to Malaysia with Modern Adventure Pro Cycling after producing the strongest results of his season in Europe. He finished third in the time trial at the Tour de Luxembourg and also showed his aggressive side in the road stages, including a breakaway appearance on stage 3.
The British rider was expected to support the team's lead-out efforts in Malaysia while also having opportunities to go on the attack. But he became unwell shortly after arriving, leaving the team with no choice but to withdraw him before the opening stage.
“He was obviously flying, and it’s been really fun to see him get his legs back under him throughout the year. And he’s just a good, positive guy to have around so we’re already missing him a lot,” Modern Adventure sports director Alex Howes told Cyclingnews before the start.
Hayter's condition became apparent the morning after the team's arrival. Howes took him to hospital for further examinations, after which the decision was made that racing was not appropriate.
“He got here, and we woke up the morning after travel, and he was just not feeling well. I took him to hospital for scans. We concluded it was best he didn’t race. It’s unfortunate because he was going really well.”
Leo Hayter joined Ineos in 2022
A comeback that had been gathering pace
The setback comes during a season in which Hayter has gradually rebuilt his racing career after stepping away from the sport in 2024.
The former Giro Next Gen and Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 winner joined the WorldTour with Ineos alongside his older brother Ethan, but left the team in August 2024 after discussing publicly that he had struggled with an eating disorder, depression and anxiety and needed time away from professional racing.
Modern Adventure offered Hayter an opportunity to return to competition in a less pressurized environment, and his results in recent weeks suggested that the long process of rebuilding was beginning to produce tangible results.
His brother Ethan, now racing for Soudal Quick-Step, also saw the change from close range while representing Great Britain at the elite men's time trial at the World Championships in Montreal.
“It’s really nice to see him back racing, and not just the time trial. He was in the break the day before [in Luxembourg],” Ethan said. “Hopefully, he’ll just keep taking it step by step, and then enjoying it.”
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Hayter’s 2027 future remains unresolved
The timing of the illness also comes with some uncertainty surrounding Hayter's future. Modern Adventure signed 20 of its 21 riders for two seasons when assembling its inaugural 2026 roster, but Hayter was the exception, leaving his contract situation open for 2027.
According to a team spokesperson, Hayter has received an offer from a WorldTour team but has not signed it. Modern Adventure believes he will “most likely” remain with the American squad for another season.
That possibility would give Hayter continuity after a year in which he has been able to rebuild his confidence and racing rhythm within a flexible environment. For now, though, the immediate priority is his recovery from pericarditis
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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