Ethan Hayter out of Vuelta a España with COVID-19

Ethan Hayter is out of the Vuelta a España after testing positive for COVID-19. His Ineos Grenadiers team announced the young British rider's withdrawal before Tuesday's time trial stage.

It is unclear if Hayter's case emerged during the Vuelta a España rest day screening of the race bubble or in a separate team test. A total of 11 riders have now been forced to quit the Vuelta a España due to COVID-19 cases. 

Hayter had worn the best young rider's white jersey early in Vuelta a España after Ineos Grenadiers had finished second to Jumbo-Visma in the opening team time trial. The 23-year-old was making his Grand Tour debut at the race.

Shortly after Hayter's withdrawal, Cofidis announced that José Herrada has been forced out of the race following a positive test. Lotto Soudal's Harry Sweeny was also a stage 10 non-starter for the same reason.

News of Hayter and Herrada leaving the Vuelta comes after Monday's rest day announcements that Jarrad Drizners (Lotto Soudal) and Mathias Norsgaard (Movistar) also left the race due to the virus. Edoardo Affini (Jumbo-Visma) also left the race with what was later announced as a COVID-19 positive.

Hayter turned professional with the British squad in 2020 and has gone on to score 16 wins. This year he's enjoyed his best season yet, scoring six victories including a breakthrough at WorldTour level with two stages at the Tour de Romandie and the overall title at the Tour de Pologne. 

He recently signed a contract extension until the end of 2024, with his younger brother Leo also joining the team for 2023.

Hayter hoped to target the time trial stage and sprint stages but his Vuelta a España ended after 9 stages. 

"A big shame to have to leave the team La Vuelta just as things were getting going after a positive Covid test fortunately still feeling good and hoping to stay that way. Good luck to the rest of the Ineos Grenadiers here" he wrote on Instagram.

Hayter, Herrada, Affini, and Sweeny join Drizners, Norsgaard, Daan Hoole (Trek-Segafredo), Jan Hirt (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert), Andrea Vendrame, Jaakko Hänninen (AG2R Citroën), Anthony Delaplace (Arkéa-Samsic), Nikias Arndt, Mark Donovan (Team DSM), and Pieter Serry (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl) in withdrawing.

156 riders will take the start of the stage 10 time trial from Elche to Alicante, with Floris De Tier (Alpecin-Deceuninck) not taking the start either due to saddle sores.