Hayter plots route to Pogacar's red jersey after 0.09 second loss
The versatile Briton has several options to try and overturn his narrow deficit, but knows Pogacar can control the race if he wants to keep red.
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Ethan Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step) has quickly turned his attention from the heartbreak of losing the Vuelta a España opener by just 0.09 seconds to the possibility of taking the race lead on stage 2.
Hayter had looked set to win Saturday's opening time trial in Monaco after setting a time four seconds faster than Josh Tarling (Netcompany-Ineos), but Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), the penultimate rider to finish, pipped the Briton to the post by just 0.09 seconds to take the red jersey.
Being so close to the race lead, Hayter was naturally asked if and how he plans to take the red jersey from the world champion ahead of stage 2.
“It's not completely in my control, but I'm going to try, yeah,” said a motivated Hayter.
“To lose with one of the last riders, it was so close. Difficult, because I also didn't win as much as some of the other guys. But that's racing sometimes.”
The second stage is an undulating one, with a rising finish, meaning the likes of Pogačar, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) could all feature in the finale alongside Hayter.
“I think if Tadej really wants the jersey, he can keep it, and there's nothing I can do about it. It's going to be interesting. We'll see how it goes.”
Hayter was asked about whether the breakaway could be an option. Torstein Træen (Uno-X Mobility) took yellow from Pogačar during the Tour de France in the opening week after being part of a break.
“Yeah, it depends. We'll see if the opportunity is there. Maybe I'll try to take it, but they might obviously just control me. It's quite hard to get away on the flat.”
Winning the final sprint is another possibility, but Hayter is not placing total faith in that option.
“I can sprint, but I haven't sprinted in a race for a while. I wouldn't bet on it too much.”
He’ll wear the green jersey after his runner-up finish in Monaco, while Pogačar has the red jersey, but Hayter will ultimately have his eyes firmly fixed on trading colours on the run-in to Manosque.
“We'll see how it goes.”
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