Ethan Hayter fined and penalized for middle finger to TV camera

After the opening time trial of Tirreno-Adriatico, several riders and team directors were called in by the race jury. Ethan Hayter was fined 500 Swiss Francs and penalized 25 points in the UCI ranking for 'unsportsmanlike conduct.'

The jury report does not provide further details regarding the British rider's offense, but attentive TV viewers undoubtedly noticed that the Soudal Quick-Step rider expressed his displeasure towards a TV motorcyclist during his time trial effort by raising his middle finger.

Hayter—who posted the eighth-best time in Lido di Camaiore, 32 seconds behind stage winner Filippo Ganna—was thus punished after the race with a fine and UCI ranking points deduction.

#TirrenoAdriatico 🔱 / The middle finger of 🇬🇧 Ethan Hayter (SOQ), sanctioned with a fine and UCI points deduction. pic.twitter.com/KEk3WMq2pN

— Renaud Breban (@RenaudB31) March 9, 2026

The British time trial champion was not the only name mentioned in the jury report. Mario Aerts (team director at Lotto-Intermarché) received a yellow card for violating the rules or guidelines concerning vehicle movements during the race.

Emiel Verstrynge and his team director Christoph Roodhooft from Alpecin-Premier Tech were both fined 500 Swiss Francs for delivering the time trial bikes and related equipment too late for the individual time trial. These must be provided at least ten minutes before the start.