'It was cutting the blood from my legs' – Ethan Hayter takes scissors to his green skinsuit in mid-stage kit modification at Vuelta a España

Detailed view of Ethan Hayter of Great Britain and Team Soudal Quick-Step competes in the breakaway with his torn jersey during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 2 a 214.3km from Monaco to Manosque 408m / #UCIWT / on August 23, 2026 in Manosque, Monaco. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images).

It was an eventful day for Ethan Hayter on stage 2 of the Vuelta a España, with a breakaway ride, a late time loss, and a bizarre mid-stage modification to his kit.

Midway through Sunday's stage, the British rider was spotted in the breakaway with the back of his shorts completely ripped open.