Q & A: Ethan Hayter

Second in the Junior Gent Wevelgem, VeloUK’s quizzes Ethan Hayter about the race who’s won three and been second in five European races this seasons so far

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Q & A: Ethan Hayter

1. You have had many top finishes this season but was Gent Wevelgem the best result yet for you?
EH: I don’t think it tops the win at Kuurne Brussels Kuurne, but it continues a good string of results. I’m a little frustrated to be left runner up again after Reybrouck, but happy with it at the same time.

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2. Did you get to ride over the famous climbs during the race and if so, what was the worst of them?
EH: The hardest climb we rode was the Kemmelberg, but it wasn’t as hard as I was expecting, the cobbles are actually quite smooth.

3. With all the racing you have done there this year, did you know which riders to keep an eye on?
EH. I had an idea of a few riders and kept an eye on them, but I rode my own race really.

4. What was the key moment in the race for you?
EH. A break of four counter attacked a move I had been in with around 40k to go and looked like it would stay away. I rode hard last time up the Kemmelberg and a split of three of us got away. On the descent I was third wheel and Alexys (eventual winner) got a gap and in the crosswind carried on riding, I thought I would just work with the Swiss rider but he hesitated and the gap grew. With 10k to go I went solo in pursuit of the leaders, managed to close a 30 second gap by the 2k banner and attacked them a few hundered metres later when they went the wrong way round a big traffic island on a corner and held on. Alexys had already left them.

5. Have you a special technique you have worked on to ride the cobbles?
EH. I don’t think there is a special technique, just to stay relaxed and pick a good line.

6. Are races like this the ones you want to race when a professional in a few years?
EH. I think races like this could suit me in the future, but I have a variety of races to still test myself in.

7. What do you put your success down to this season – a better winter, change of training, etc?
EH: I have put in a good winter and built on some good form which I found towards the end of last season.

8. Did you expect to have been on the podium so many times in major races in Belgium at the start of this season?
EH: I did hope for some good results but didn’t expect so much. I’ve done five races, won three and come second in the other two!

9. Finally, what is your race programme in the comings months, more in Belgium or UK?
EH: I’m back out in Europe for another cobbled race in two weeks (Paris Roubaix), then a bit of a break before I’ll get stuck into the remaining junior national series races in the UK before some track focus mid season.

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