As the Vuelta a España progresses, the extreme heat has become a significant concern for riders, particularly during the challenging stage 15 held on Sunday. British cyclist Matthew Brennan from Visma Lease a Bike voiced his astonishment at the soaring temperatures, which reached an alarming average of 41 degrees Celsius.
Brennan, reflecting on the conditions, noted that at one point during the climb, the temperature spiked to 44 degrees. He questioned the sanity of competing under such heat, stating, “What are we doing?” He compared the harsh reality of the race to a typical office environment, where temperatures are usually maintained at a comfortable 20 degrees.
Despite the sweltering conditions, Wout van Aert, Brennan’s teammate, claimed victory in the sprint finish in Córdoba, although the stage itself was shortened due to the oppressive heat. Meanwhile, Spain’s Enric Mas successfully retained his leader’s red jersey, navigating the extreme weather alongside his competitors.
Fonte/Origem: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/06/matthew-brennan-vuelta-a-espana-heat-wout-van-aert-stage-15-cycling