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Third stage of Vuelta a España canceled due to hail

Severe weather with hail forces the cancellation of the third stage of the Vuelta a España just before the finish line.

24 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Third stage of Vuelta a España canceled due to hail — Archive photoPhoto: cordyph · Flickr · BY-SA

The third stage of the Vuelta a España, which was set to cover 174 kilometers from Gruissan to Font Romeu, was canceled on Monday due to severe weather conditions. Reports indicate that the decision was made as the weather conditions deteriorated rapidly, with a hailstorm hitting the peloton about 15 to 20 kilometers before the finish in Font Romeu.

The extreme weather conditions included not only heavy rainfall but also large hailstones, creating a dangerous situation for the cyclists. In response to the threatening circumstances, riders were instructed to seek shelter in a hotel and nearby shops and restaurants while the organizers neutralized the race.

The stage, which took place in the French Pyrenees, was a challenging course for the participants, already featuring significant elevation changes. The final ascent to the Col de Mont-Louis posed an additional difficulty that was considerably intensified by the severe weather. The cancellation decision was made by the organizers to ensure the safety of the riders.

The races in the Vuelta a España are highly competitive, and the cancellation of a stage presents an uncomfortable situation. It was stated that the time gaps from this stage would not be included in the overall classification. Consequently, the impact of this unplanned interruption on the further course of the race remains in question.

Reports from various media outlets consistently covered the cancellation decision and the reasons behind it. While some sources detailed the prevailing conditions, others focused on the reactions of the riders and the necessity for protection from the severe weather.

The situation was further intensified by the fact that overall leader Tadej Pogacar was among the riders seeking shelter during the storm. The stage, which ended without a winner, is viewed as one of the most surprising twists in this year's Vuelta a España. Further details regarding the resumption of normal racing conditions have not yet been disclosed.

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