One of the more exciting riders in the pack, Ethan Hayter will join Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for the 2027 season. He comes from Soudal Quick-Step after two years with the Belgian squad.
The 28-year-old Brit has signed a two-year contract with the team, running through the 2028 season.
Hayter brings plenty of range to his new team. He is a strong time trialist with a deep track background–he’s the current British TT champ. But he also shown he can also sprint from smaller groups.
His ride at the Vuelta
If you watched this year’s Vuelta a España, you definitely saw that attacking side of his racing. After finishing just short of a dub in the opening time trial in Monaco, Hayter went on the offensive the following day. Hayter spent almost 180 km in the breakaway while chasing the red jersey. He’s a bit of a triple threat–not only can he TT like an ace, he’s got a great kick and can climb well enough to make selections. But also, the dude loves to be on the attack.
He continued to be at the front of all kinds in the early stages of the Vuelta. In fact, Hayter was off the front around 400 km during the first 10 road stages–which is…a lot, if you think about it. Rightfully so, he picked up three combativity awards.
An all-rounder, not just TT specialist
“I’d describe myself as a bit of an all-rounder,” Hayter said. “The last couple of years have been more focused on time trials, but I’ve also sprinted from small groups and I really enjoy harder races and stage races.”
The Vuelta gave him a chance to lean into a very aggressive style.
“At the Vuelta, after coming so close in the time trial, it was nice just to get stuck into the racing and go for it. That’s something I want to keep doing.”
On his new team
Hayter said Pinarello Q36.5 was one of the teams he was particularly interested in joining.
“From the outside, it looked very well organized and like a team that was progressing really nicely,” he said. “I know a few of the riders already and I felt it would be a really good fit for me.”
The move will also add another British rider to the squad, with Hayter becoming the third London-born rider on the roster. He already knows some of his future teammates from his early days in the London cycling scene.
There’s Tom Pidcock, the team’s superstar rider, as well as his little brother, Joe. The ProTeam is also home to Sainte-Lucie-des-Laurentides, Que.’s Nick Zukowsky, who has been having a great few years. He’s always at the front, working away, or in breaks–long ones too. The former national champ just came off a strong ride at the road worlds, where he rode the TT, the mixed relay, and the road race. Next up for the 28-year-old pro is the last WorldTour race of the year, the Tour of Guangxi.
As far as Hayter, he also sees the move as an opportunity to work more closely with a team’s technical partners. That’s clutch for him as he looks to keep improving his time trialling and overall performance.
“For me, innovation is about never becoming complacent. It’s always looking for ways to keep pushing and to become faster, whether that comes through training, nutrition, aerodynamics, bikes, wheels, tires or clothing,” he said. “Having a direct relationship with the brands is exciting because rider feedback can genuinely help make the equipment faster. We’re the ones riding and testing it every day, and that experience can be really valuable when you work together.”