Ethan Hayter will miss the Vuelta a España due to a positive test for COVID-19. His Ineos Grenadiers team announced the young British rider's withdrawal before Tuesday's time trial stage.

It is unclear whether Hayter's case was revealed during a race bubble screening on the Vuelta a España rest day or during another team inspection. COVID-19 has now caused 11 retirements.

Hayter wore the white jersey of the best young rider early in the Vuelta a España after Ineos Grenadier finished second behind Jumbo Visma in the opening team time trial. 23-year-old Hayter made his Grand Tour debut in this race.

Shortly after Hayter's retirement, Cofidis announced that Jose Herrada had withdrawn from the race due to a positive test. Lotto Soudal's Harry Sweeney also did not compete in stage 10 for the same reason.

The news of Hayter and Elada's withdrawal from the Vuelta follows Monday's rest day announcement that Jarrad Drizners (Lotto-Soudal) and Matthias Norsgaard (Movistar) have also withdrawn from the race due to a virus. Edoardo Affini (Jumbo Visma) also left the race after testing positive for COVID-19.

Hayter turned pro with the British team in 2020 and has 16 wins. He had his best season this year with six wins, including two stage wins at the Tour de Romandie and an overall win at the Tour de Pollogne, a breakthrough at the World Tour level.

Hayter recently signed a contract extension through the end of 2024, and his brother Leo will also join the team in 2023.

Hayter targeted time trial stages and sprint stages, but the Vuelta a España ended after nine stages.

"I am very sorry to leave La Vuelta. The Covid test was positive and I was just starting to get better. Good luck to the rest of the Ineos Grenadiers," he wrote on Instagram.

Hayter, Herrada, Affini, and Sweeney join Drizners, Norsgaard, Daan Houle (Trek Segafredo), Jan Hilt (Intermarke Wantigover), Andrea Vendrame, Jaakko Hanninen (AG2R Citroen) , Anthony Delaplace (Arkea Samsic), Nikias Arndt, Mark Donovan (Team DSM), and Pieter Serry (Quick Step Alfa Vinyl) have withdrawn.

156 riders will start the stage 10 time trial from Elche to Alicante, but Floris de Tia (Alpecin Deceuninck) will not start due to saddle pain.