SOS: La Vuelta reacts to the scorching heat that cyclists have to face and announces exceptional measures

Climate change is a reality and cycling does not escape it. This summer the thermometers have broken all records. It was already seen in the recent Tour de France, where historic extreme heat was reached with temperatures above 40ºC, which forced both the organization and the teams to take action on the matter, even going so far as to consider the suspension of several stages. An oven that traveled days later to Spain and that the runners have had to face, reaching similar temperatures, which affects the performance and health of the cyclists.

He Enric Mas himself, the leader of the racewho said that the heat was good for him, raised the alarm yesterday. “It has been an extremely hot day. At times it has been strange because when we were running we felt the heat despite the air. If it gets hotter there will have to be a runners’ meeting because it would be dangerous to go out.”

From 80 to 250 drums per stage

Teams and cyclists have normalized the use of ice cans, ice-style cooling vests, MotoGP and the massive consumption of water bottles has skyrocketed, whether for drinking or cooling off. An example, in a ‘normal’ stage the runners Movistar Team They can consume about 80 drums and in a very hot climate about 250.

A situation that everyone suffers without exception in La Vuelta. Hence, La Vuelta has reacted by introducing changes. Yesterday, new developments were announced to deal with the scorching heat. “Given the extreme temperatures expected for stages 14 and 15, the Stewards Committee has decided, exceptionally, to authorize the use of refreshment bags throughout the course and from the team car between the start and the finish line. However, feeding by the team cars in the refreshment areas marked by the organization is prohibited. This measure aims to facilitate the distribution of several bottles of water to each cyclist, guaranteeing adequate hydration in the forecast weather conditions.

A measure that the survivors of The Returneven more so in a demanding and mountain stage, with a high finish (Sierra de la Pandera) and in which temperatures around 37-38ºC are expected.