Ethan Hayter takes final stage of Ruta del Sol 2021, as Miguel Ángel López wins overall
The Brit took another victory from climber’s sprint finish as two riders went down next to him


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Ethan Hayter was victorious on the final stage of the Ruta del Sol 2021, as Miguel Ángel López took the overall title in Spain.
Hayter won stage five, a short 107km run from Vera to Pulpí, from a climber’s sprint, after a lumpy day in Andalucia.
As Hayter took his victory, two riders went down hard in the sprint alongside him, with Daryl Impey (Israel Start-Up Nation) and Robert Stannard (Team BikeExchange) both hitting the deck.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider claimed his fifth pro win, bringing his tally of 2021 wins to four.
López (Movistar) finished in the front group on stage five, taking fourth place, securing the overall title by 20 seconds ahead of Antwan Tolehoek (Jumbo-Visma). Hayter finished seventh overall, 2-13 behind Lopez.
Hayter has been a star rider this season, having won a stage of Coppi e Bartali stage race in March, then taking a stage of the Volta ao Algarve.
The 22-year-old almost won overall in Algarve, but lost time in a crash on the stage four time trial before he was distanced on the final stage, eventually finishing second.
He then bounced back from the disappointment by winning the second stage of Ruta del Sol and wearing the leader’s jersey for one stage, before he was dropped by Lopez on the final climb the following day.
López won stage three in Villarrodrigo after another tough climbing day, taking the day by just two seconds over Tolhoek, with Hayter finishing in 12th place- 2-23 down.
The stage four sprint was won by André Griepel (Israel Start-Up Nation), his second win of the season.
On stage five, Ineos Grenadiers set a strong pace to catch the breakaway 10km from the finish, with the squad causing a split in the peloton 6.5km from the finish, before Hayter closed out the race with a victory.
Ruta del Sol 2021 stage five, Vera to Pulpí (107km)
1. Ethan Hayter (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers, in 2-27-12
2. Philipp Walsleben (Ger) Alpecin-Fenix
3. Toms Skujins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo, all at same time
General classification after stage five
1. Miguel Ángel López (Col) Movistar, in 21-06-55
2. Antwan Tolhoek (Ned) Jumbo-Visma, at 20s
3. Julen Amezqueta (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, at 1-10
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
‘A gateway of just how far their dreams and a bike can take them’ - Los Angeles’ first-ever pump track is now open
Los Angeles’ first-ever pump track opened to the public on Friday, September 22, after two years of construction.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
UK cycle tech falls by a third, with bikes sales also struggling, says industry report
The cycle industry continues to face challenges, with tech in freefall and even ebikes lagging behind the rest of Europe
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'I thought I was more in the door than I was' - Luke Rowe bares all on Vuelta a España snub
Welshman will not race a Grand Tour this year after he missed out on selection by Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I hope I get a cow’ - Josh Tarling aiming for the top prize at World Championships
Welshman competing in elite men’s individual time trial on Friday afternoon
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'All being well I’ll still be racing next year' but 'it's coming to an end' - Geraint Thomas on Ineos Grenadiers future
'It's nice to be arriving at a Worlds in decent nick' says the Welshman ahead of individual time trial in Stirling
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Opinion: There will never be another bike rider like Annemiek van Vleuten
The flying Dutchwoman could almost win it all, but now her era has almost ended, she should be remembered as the greatest
By Adam Becket Published
-
Carlos Rodriguez credits BMX skills with Tour de France stage win
Ineos Grenadiers rider dedicates his victory to his parents
By Vern Pitt Published
-
'We just have to keep trying': Ineos Grenadiers ready to attack at the Tour de France
'You never know' British team's DS Steve Cummings says anything is still possible at French Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Disappointed on stage one, pleased with stage two: Tom Pidcock gaining confidence at Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers rider satisfied with performance on the road to San Sebastián after difficult opening stage
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Beating the likes of Pogačar and Vingegaard to a Tour de France stage would be ‘a step up’
Ineos Grenadiers rider heads into second Tour aiming for general classification and stage wins
By Tom Thewlis Published