A severe storm forced the professional cyclists to their knees on Monday. © APA/afp / ED JONES

Lightning and hail: Vuelta stage cancelled

The third stage of the 81st Vuelta a España was abandoned on the final climb due to a severe storm, the organizers of the cycling tour announced.

August 24, 2026

From: dpa/sn

Due to the weather conditions, it was impossible to continue the race to Font-Romeu in the French Pyrenees. The race had been neutralized 15 kilometers before the first mountain finish of the Vuelta a España.

"For safety reasons," the organizers announced on platform X that the stage had been cancelled due to hail and severe weather. "There will be no winner and no awards ceremony."

TV footage showed torrential rain and large hailstones pelting the cyclists. Other images showed shivering professional cyclists seeking shelter in and around buildings, pulling on jackets as they shivered. Severe weather accompanied roughly the last 25 of the 174 kilometers between Gruissan and Font Romeu. At times, the TV broadcast stopped showing any live footage of the riders.

Tadej Pogacar, winner of the opening time trial in Monaco and third on the previous day, remains in the overall lead. On day four, the cyclists face a challenging mountain stage starting and finishing in the microstate of Andorra. Three Category 1 climbs await Pogacar and his fellow riders. The Vuelta will not enter Spain until day five. The race concludes on September 13th in Granada.