Vuelta a España Race Director Says Extreme Heat Won't Change the Calendar

Riders at the Vuelta a España are racing in some of the hottest conditions ever seen at a major cycling event. Temperatures on certain stages have reached 44°C (111°F), leaving many riders exhausted and worried about their health. Race director Javier Guillén says he will not move the race to a cooler time of year just because of the heat. Riders and cycling's world governing body, the UCI, are pushing back, saying more needs to be done.

On Stage 15, the route was cut by 80 kilometers after riders asked for a shorter day due to the dangerous heat. Even with that change, riders still spent more than two hours racing in 41°C (107°F) temperatures. Portugal's João Almeida said the heat was pushing riders to their limits. England's Matthew Brennan said his bike computer read 44°C on a climb and questioned why anyone was racing in those conditions.

Spain is already one of Europe's hottest countries, and the Vuelta has been held in late summer since 1995. But the last five years have been the hottest ever recorded in Spain, and this past summer was the hottest on record. Wildfires have swept across the country, and tens of thousands of Europeans have died due to extreme heat waves. Many in cycling are now asking whether the race needs to move to a cooler part of the year.

Race director Guillén says the timing of the Vuelta is too important to change right now. August is a holiday month in Spain, and schools don't return until mid-September, meaning more fans can attend the race. He says TV audiences also depend on the race being held at the same time each year. Changing those dates, he argues, would hurt the race's popularity and business.

One small test is coming: in 2027, the Vuelta will be held entirely in September because of a special combined World Championships event. Many people in cycling see this as an unofficial trial to see if a cooler month makes the race safer. Guillén says the race will likely return to its usual August-September schedule after that. However, he left open the possibility that good results in September could lead to a permanent change.

Teams and organizers are using several methods to help riders handle the heat. Riders train in hot conditions nearly all year to prepare their bodies. Many wear sensors that track their body temperature during races, and they receive water and cold drinks more often than in the past. Ice socks, ice vests, and ice baths are also used to cool riders down throughout the day.

Guillén says a bigger change — like moving race start times away from the hot afternoon — will only happen when scientists and experts say it must. He admits that climate change is real and that temperatures are becoming more extreme each year. But he believes the cooling methods teams use today are enough to keep riders safe for now. He says the final call will come from the UCI and health experts, not race organizers.

Safety on the road is another serious concern after 19-year-old British rider Finlay Tarling died in August at the Volta a Portugal when a vehicle entered the course. The UCI's safety group, SafeR, has been working since 2023 to improve protections during races. At this year's Tour de France, safety netting on the Alpe d'Huez descent stopped rider Sepp Kuss from falling down the mountain after a crash. The UCI has also announced that GPS tracking of all riders will soon be required at races.

The UCI's new rules also require safety barriers near race finishes to meet a specific standard. These changes come two years after 18-year-old Swiss rider Muriel Furrer died after lying undiscovered for nearly 90 minutes following a crash at the 2024 World Championships. Guillén says races will never be completely free of risk, but that organizers are always working to improve. He says safety is always the first priority.

Some team managers say the only truly safe option is to hold all races on closed circuits with no outside traffic. Guillén says that would be nearly impossible across a full 21-stage Grand Tour and would change what makes cycling great to watch. He believes the focus should be on making existing race routes as safe as possible. He says new ideas are welcome, but they must fit with the spirit and vision of the sport.