“The ideal environment for me to thrive”: America's in-form new team hold on to key rider

Leo Hayter will remain with Modern Adventure Pro Cycling for the 2027 season, extending his stay with the American team after a promising but injury-disrupted first year. The British rider returned to racing in July following a back problem and recorded two professional podium finishes before pericarditis brought his campaign to an early end.

The extension gives the 25-year-old another opportunity to rebuild his career in an environment where he says he has found the support and trust needed to progress. Hayter joined Modern Adventure for 2026 after stepping away from the sport in 2024 and making a limited return to competition the following year.

“I’m really happy to be extending with the team,” Hayter said. “What I first saw as a stepping stone back to the top of the sport transformed into a team I see as the ideal environment for me to thrive.”

His return to form gathered pace during the second half of the season. After getting back on his bike in July, he finished on the podium at the time trial of the TPC en Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the Skoda Tour of Luxembourg.

“Throughout the process, I had full support and trust from the team, and I was happy to repay that with two professional podiums in the back half of the year,” he said.

Hayter's career began with considerable promise. Before turning professional with Ineos Grenadiers in 2023, he won Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 in 2021 and claimed the overall title at the Giro d'Italia Giovani Under 23 in 2022, also known as the Baby Giro. He won two stages at that race and finished third in the under-23 individual time trial at the 2022 UCI Road World Championships.

His early professional career, however, did not develop as expected. Hayter left Ineos in August 2024 after struggling with his mental health, including depression and anxiety, and took time away from competition to focus on his wellbeing.

He returned to racing in 2025 with the Polish Continental team Voster ATS before signing with Modern Adventure for the following season. His performances in 2026 suggested that the approach was beginning to pay off, although the back injury delayed his return and pericarditis ultimately curtailed his season.

“The recovery is frustratingly lengthy, but alongside the team doctors, we have a plan in place to arrive in the coming year in the best way possible,” Hayter said. “Once I’m fit, I’m really looking forward to building on top of the small successes I had this year; continuing to ride in support of the guys, and turning my podium places into wins when the opportunity arises.”

Modern Adventure co-founder George Hincapie said the team was pleased to retain the Briton and would continue supporting him through his recovery.

“We’re really happy to have Leo continuing with us. He’s a talented rider, and he’s shown what he can do when he’s able to build momentum,” Hincapie said. “We’re looking forward to supporting him through his recovery and helping him keep moving forward. We believe there’s plenty more to come.”