Vuelta stage three abandoned after hail in Pyrenees
The third stage of the Vuelta a Espana is abandoned because of severe weather and hailstorms in the French Pyrenees.
The third stage of the Vuelta a Espana was abruptly called off on Monday due to severe weather conditions and hailstorms in the French Pyrenees. Riders were navigating the Col de Mont-Louis when a hailstorm struck as they had 15km left of the 174km route from Gruissan to Font-Romeu. Overall race leader Tadej Pogacar signaled to the main group to abandon the course, and riders quickly took shelter in a nearby hotel.
Organizers subsequently announced that the stage would not resume, with no winner or podium ceremony awarded. The day had begun warm and sunny on the flat approach to the mountainous finish, but hail then became dangerous. Slovenian Pogacar, aiming to become the first to win all Grand Tours, was consistently among the race's leaders.
Pogacar won the opening time trial on Saturday, and Britain's Matt Brennan took victory in the second stage on Sunday. The fourth stage, a 104.8km route starting and ending in Andorra la Vella, will commence on Tuesday.
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