Violent hailstorm at the Vuelta: Riders stopped and stage canceled; Pogacar still in the red jersey

Bad weather reigned supreme during the third stage of the 2026 Vuelta a España. The 174-kilometer stage from Gruissan (Aude) to Font Romeu—the first with an uphill finish in the Pyrenees—was first suspended and then canceled due to a violent hailstorm that struck the cyclists during the final stages.

Leading the race before the suspension were Lorenzo Fortunato of Italy, riding for Team XDS Astana, and Mats Wenzel of Luxembourg, riding for Kern Pharma. With about 15 km to go, the storm broke out, engulfing the cyclists as they climbed the Col de Mont-Louis and causing panic on the road.

The hailstones were falling so hard that the cyclists dismounted and sought shelter. According to the organizers, conditions had become too dangerous to continue, leading to the decision to call off the race permanently. All times were canceled, and Tadej Pogacar, who was among the first to call for the race to be stopped, retains the red jersey with a nine-second lead over Van Aert. The two escapees, who held a 40-second lead, were notified and stopped by race officials.

The race will resume on Tuesday with the stage in Andorra, which is only 105 km long but features a 3,000-meter elevation gain.