Ethan Hayter is attacking so much he's getting to know the Vuelta camera crew

Ethan Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step) has spent so much of the Vuelta a España attacking that he is starting to recognise the faces filming that are filming the race.

During stage 11, the Soudal Quick-Step rider spotted the TV camera motorbike operator and called out: “You’re always in front of the peloton or behind the breakaway.”

The exchange followed Hayter’s efforts to get into the day’s breakaway for another stage, after being one of the most combative riders so far. The Vuelta’s social media team noted he has been racing alongside the same familiar faces behind the camera. 

Hayter was among the first attackers on stage 11 alongside Alessandro Covi and Domen Novak, with Sinuhé Fernández later joining the move, before Visma | Lease a Bike helped bring it back under control.

He tried again later with Tudor’s Larry Warbasse, taking the intermediate sprint before they were caught ahead of the Alto de Aledo. When the peloton briefly eased off after catching them, Hayter was ready to go again.

“I could feel everyone had made a big effort just before they caught us,” he said. “And they were starting to slow down again, so I thought I’d see if they were going.”

“They hesitated, and if we had, I don’t know, maybe a minute or so before the climb, maybe you could get over. So, yeah, I thought I’d try.”

But Visma were determined to control the race for another sprint, with Matthew Brennan eventually taking his third stage win in his debut Grand Tour.

Hayter was asked about Visma’s presence and successful control of the breakaways during the Vuelta so far, with the Briton feeling the impact more than most. 

Hayter suggested that the Dutch team had marked him more tightly in the opening week due to the potential of him being involved in the green jersey contest, but feels there is now “a bit more breathing room” with Van Aert in a commanding lead.

“I guess there’s a few teams now with interest in controlling for the stage,” Hayter said. “It’s not just Visma | Lease a Bike, but it’s nice to try.”