Spain’s cycling calendar faced significant disruption Saturday as high winds forced the cancellation of stage two of the Vuelta a Murcia and the outright abandonment of day two of the Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina de la Comunitat Valenciana. The conditions, which prompted riders to struggle to remain upright in Fortuna during the Vuelta a Murcia, highlight the increasing challenges posed by extreme weather events to professional cycling.
The Vuelta a Murcia, a two-day race, saw its second stage halted shortly after the start. Race officials determined it was “impossible to continue” due to the severe gusts, opting instead for a 10-kilometer neutralized stage to Santomera. Whereas a stage winner and associated jerseys will be awarded, times will not be recorded, meaning the overall standings will be determined by the results of Friday’s opening stage. This outcome underscores the unpredictable nature of the sport and the safety concerns paramount to race organizers.
Marc Soler of UAE Emirates-XRG secured victory in Friday’s first stage, finishing 19 seconds ahead of teammate Julius Johansen. Tom Pidcock of the Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team finished 40 seconds behind Soler, placing him third overall before Saturday’s cancellation. The second stage had promised a more challenging route, featuring ascents of the category 1 Collado Bermejo and a later category 3 climb, but the weather ultimately dictated a different outcome.
The challenging conditions weren’t limited to the men’s race. Organizers of the Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina de la Comunitat Valenciana made the decision to cancel stage two entirely before it began, citing similar dangerous wind conditions in the province of Alicante. This follows a pattern of weather-related disruptions in the region, with a time trial stage of the men’s race too impacted by high winds last month, though the times from that stage did not count towards the general classification.
Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) currently leads the women’s race, having soloed to victory on the opening stage. She holds a 56-second advantage over Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) as the race is set to resume Sunday with a fourth and final stage between Sagunt and Valencia. The organizers confirmed the resumption of the race, stating that it will continue “tomorrow, February 15 for the fourth and final stage.”
The Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team saw several riders debut in their team colors at the Vuelta a Murcia, including Quinten Hermans, Brent Van Moer, and Xandro Meurisse. Hermans was pictured during the neutralization of stage 2 due to the strong winds, a visual representation of the day’s challenges. (Photo: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
Impact on Rider Safety and Race Schedules
These cancellations and curtailments raise ongoing questions about rider safety and the adaptability of race schedules in the face of increasingly volatile weather patterns. The decision to neutralize stages or cancel events outright demonstrates a commitment to protecting athletes, but also disrupts the competitive flow and planned training schedules. The Vuelta a Murcia’s altered format, while ensuring a result, significantly diminishes the intended challenge of the two-day race.
Pinarello Q36.5 Team in Action
The Vuelta a Murcia also marked Tom Pidcock’s highly anticipated season debut for the Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. The team, featuring a mix of experienced riders and newcomers, aimed to establish a strong presence and “make a course with intention, cohesion and a distinct identity,” according to team statements. The team’s plans, however, were significantly impacted by the adverse weather conditions.
Looking ahead, the cycling calendar remains packed with major events. The focus now shifts to the continuation of the Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina de la Comunitat Valenciana and the upcoming Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol, where Quinten Hermans is also scheduled to compete, beginning February 18th. The sport will undoubtedly be closely monitoring weather forecasts as teams navigate a season increasingly susceptible to the impacts of climate change.
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