Baloise Belgium Tour

Ethan Hayter dropped to second on the general classification – but he did it after fighting until the last ounce of energy – at the end of a fast and furious day of racing around Durbuy, where the queen stage of the race took place. A total of 19 climbs, including Mur de Durbuy – which was tackled three times – and Côte de Hermanne, where the Golden Kilometer was placed, gave no moment of respite to the peloton, who fragmented early into several groups, which made for an open race.

Victorious on the previous stage, Ethan Hayter was there when the bunch split, quickly joining the front group, whose gap reached a minute with 70 kilometers to go. The race kept changing, and a strong quartet rode away in the final 50 kilometers, while the others were caught by the peloton. Ethan was part of the main group, and took some long pulls to defend his jersey and reduce the margin separating them, which at one point had reached 40 seconds.

As they tackled the Mur de Durbuy for the last time, the chasers could see the escapees, but they eventually ran out of road and the quartet made it, Jente Berckmoes (Lotto) being the one who took the win. Hayter spared no effort behind and emptied himself on those steep slopes, knowing that this could help him keep his GC chances alive on the last stage. As a result, only four seconds separate the Brit now from the new leader of the race, Filippo Baroncini (UAE Team Emirates), going into Sunday’s flat stage in Brussels, where bonifications will be in play at the Golden Kilometer.

“The team did an impressive job today, keeping the breakaway in check the entire time. When a big group went, I followed my instinct and jumped. The gap grew, then came down, then I was back in the bunch and we chased hard to reel in the escapees. Despite our best efforts, I had to concede the jersey for a couple of seconds, but on Sunday we’ll try again”, an upbeat Ethan said at the finish.

Photo credit: ©Rhode Van Elsen / Getty Images