Stage three of the Vuelta a España was abandoned on Monday after huge hailstones, ice on the road and the threat of lightning forced organisers to neutralise and then suspend the race in the French Pyrenees.
Key facts
- Stage three of the Vuelta a España was halted and declared with no winner.
- Riders began sheltering in shops and restaurants roughly 15km from the finish.
- The 174km route ran from Gruissan to Font-Romeu in the French Pyrenees.
- Organisers neutralised the race as the peloton scaled the Col de Mont-Louis.
- Severe hail, ice on the road and the threat of lightning prompted the decision.
The third stage of the Vuelta a España ended without a winner on Monday after being halted because of hail in the French Pyrenees, according to the Guardian.
Riders began taking shelter in shops and restaurants by the road with about 15km remaining on the difficult 174km route from Gruissan to Font-Romeu, which was due to finish in the French Pyrenees.
Organisers neutralised the race as the peloton scaled the Col de Mont-Louis and huge hailstones began pelting the riders, with ice on the road and the threat of lightning. Riders were seen heading into a hotel on the route to take cover.
The stage was eventually suspended and no winner was declared. The BBC reported that the stage was abandoned because of severe weather and hailstorms in the French Pyrenees.
The abandonment came on one of the more demanding sections of the early race, with the mountain conditions leaving organisers little choice but to prioritise rider safety.
Why it matters
Abandoning a Grand Tour stage is a rare and significant step, taken only when conditions threaten rider safety. The incident highlights how severe weather can disrupt major sporting events, particularly in exposed mountain terrain.
Frequently asked questions
Why was stage three of the Vuelta a España abandoned?
Organisers neutralised and then suspended the stage because of huge hailstones, ice on the road and the threat of lightning as the peloton scaled the Col de Mont-Louis in the French Pyrenees.
Was there a winner for stage three?
No. The stage ended without a winner after being halted.
What was the route of the stage?
The stage was a 174km route from Gruissan to Font-Romeu, due to finish in the French Pyrenees.