In a thrilling display of cycling prowess, Britain's Ethan Hayter stormed to victory in the Tour of Holland's stage 2 time trial, dethroning the Swedish champion Jakob Söderqvist. But was it a fair fight, or did Hayter have an advantage?
Hayter, a rising star in the cycling world, showcased his time trialling expertise on Thursday, securing his second win in just three days. This triumph not only solidified his dominance in the Tour of Holland but also propelled him back to the top of the overall leaderboard.
The stage was set in Etten-Leur for a gripping time trial, where Hayter's opening prologue win on Tuesday (https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/nibc-tour-of-holland-2025/prologue/results/) set the tone for what was to come. In a nail-biting finish, he edged out Söderqvist, the Swedish national TT champion and race leader, by a mere two seconds. Christophe Laporte claimed third place, 15 seconds behind.
But here's where it gets controversial: Hayter's win came on a course that favored his strengths. The out-and-back, flat route with minimal technical sections played right into his hands, allowing him to showcase his raw speed and power. And this is the part most people miss—the course design may have inadvertently given Hayter an edge over his rivals.
The time trial began with a bang as Johan Price-Pejtersen (https://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/johan-price-pejtersen/) set an early benchmark, clocking an impressive 17:44. However, his lead was short-lived as Daan Hoole (https://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/daan-hoole/), in his final race with Lidl-Trek, stormed to the top with a new best time of 17:14. Hoole's performance was remarkable, but the real drama was yet to unfold.
As the race progressed, Laporte, a veteran of the sport, rolled back the years with a stellar performance, beating Hoole's time at the intermediate split. But Hayter, the man of the moment, was not to be outdone. He flew past his minute-man in the closing kilometers, posting a time of 16:56, a full 15 seconds faster than Laporte.
The stage win and the overall lead were now within Hayter's grasp. Söderqvist, the Swedish champion, gave it his all in the technical finishing straight, but Hayter's advantage proved too much to overcome. With less than 300 meters to go, the Briton's victory was sealed, reclaiming the overall lead in the process.
Hayter's win raises an intriguing question: In a sport where marginal gains can make all the difference, how much should course design influence the outcome? Was this a fair contest, or did the course favor Hayter's strengths? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's spark a lively debate!
