Vuelta a España Stage 3 cancelled due to severe hailstorm

The third stage of the Vuelta a España was cancelled due to an extreme weather event in the Pyrenees. Approximately 15 kilometers from the finish at Font-Romeu, a violent hailstorm and torrential rain struck the peloton, causing temperatures to plummet from 40°C to as low as 6°C within an hour.

As the storm made racing impossible, Tadej Pogačar, the current leader in the red jersey, helped signal the peloton to stop. Nearly 200 riders sought emergency refuge at the IGESA Village Club Mont-Louis Les Sorbiers in Mont-Louis, France. The hotel staff provided immediate assistance, including towels, hot drinks, and food, to the soaked athletes.

Following the incident, the hotel received a surge of five-star reviews from professional cyclists and teams on Google, praising the staff for their rapid response to the unannounced arrival of the peloton. Despite the cancellation, Pogačar maintains his lead in the general classification.