Hail forces the cancellation of the third stage of the Vuelta a España: only 15 kilometers remained to the finish line

The third stage of the 2026 Vuelta a España, covering 174 kilometers between Gruissan and Font Romeu, was suspended on Monday due to severe weather. A sudden and intense hailstorm struck the peloton during the ascent to the Col de Mont Louis, approximately 15 to 16 kilometers before the finish line.

Organizers halted the race abruptly to ensure the safety of the competitors as the storm impacted the first high-altitude finish of the competition. Due to the cancellation, no winner was declared for the stage, preventing the anticipated initial showdown among the race favorites, including Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar.