Ethan Hayter of INEOS Grenadiers claims race lead with stage 1 win at Itzulia Basque Country

Ethan Hayter emerged as the winner at Monday’s opening stage of the 2023 Itzulia Basque Country. The INEOS Grenadiers rider secured a sprint victory with some assured assistance from his team, putting down a winning time of 4:01:24 in northern Spain on the ride to Labastida in the Basque Country.

Ad In second place was Mauro Schmid (Soudal Quick-Step) while third place went to Jon Aberasturi of Trek-Segafredo. CyclingHayter has surgery on fractured collarbone, will miss European Championships02/02/2023 AT 20:42 Hayter's team-mates Omar Fraile and Daniel Martinez helped organise the lead-out at the finish and after the event, Hayter paid tribute to the pair.

Hayter, 24, said: “It's amazing. My team really backed me even after I wasn’t amazing in Catalunya [his last race], but I’ve stepped up I think, and they were all in for me and I’ve just got to thank them.

“This final was perfect and I just had to do the last 100 metres. Pogacar is 'incredibly scary prospect' for every rider — Lloyd 'Real cycling' — Merckx says Pogacar 'can win everything' in the sport 'I could retire today and be proud' — Pogacar after brilliant Flanders win “It’s really nice, especially to get my first win this year.

I broke my collarbone in Australia (at the Tour Down Under), it took me a while to come back from that and hopefully that gives me more confidence to keep moving forward.” Tour de France 2022 champion Jonas Vingegaard finished safely in the pack, but Egan Bernal came over the line over six minutes down. — — - Stream the 2023 cycling season live and on-demand on discovery+ and eurosport.co.uk Track Cycling World ChampionshipsHayter wins omnium gold at World Championships, Knight picks up pursuit bronze15/10/2022 AT 20:06 World