Showing posts with label 🚲. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 🚲. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 September 2026
Sunday, 30 August 2026
Saturday, 29 August 2026
Tuesday, 25 August 2026
Monday, 24 August 2026
HAILSTORMS FORCE ABANDONMENT OF LA VUELTA A ESPANA STAGE THREE
Heavy rain and violent hailstorms forced stage three of the Vuelta to be cancelled with 15km to go
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| Tadej Pogacar leads the overall standings (AP) |
Biblical conditions forced stage three of the Vuelta a Espana to be abandoned with 15km to go as a fierce hailstorm made racing nigh on impossible.
The 174km stage had begun amid warm and sunny conditions in Gruissan-Aude but as the riders headed into the Pyrenees for the final third of the stage, with a summit finish atop the category-two climb of Font Romeu, the heavens opened. Huge hailstorms and ice blanketed the roads and the threat of lightning made for added peril.
Race leader Tadej Pogacar was seen telling riders to slow down and divert off the road after they crested the category-one Col de Mont-Louis, with the peloton following his lead as the race was neutralised.
The conditions wrought havoc with the live broadcast too, with live coverage cutting out entirely as hail thundered down. Pictures resumed to show riders sheltering in a nearby hotel at the top of the Col de Mont-Louis while team staff provided cold and wet weather gear and discussions went on over how to proceed.
The decision was made shortly after to cancel the remainder of the stage, with no stage winner. General classification times and positions remained the same as after stage two, with Pogacar nine seconds clear of Wout van Aert and Britain’s Matthew Brennan, who won on Sunday, third a further second back.
Race organisers said: “For the security of the riders, stage three has been cancelled due to hail and severe weather. There will be no winner and no podium ceremony.”
The weather had calmed down by the finish line - where live footage showed race staff shovelling hail away with brooms in an attempt to make the road usable - but questions remained over the safety of the roads, particularly on the 6km long descent towards the final climb of Font Romeu.
At the time the stage was cancelled Mats Wenzel was the only survivor of a five-man breakaway, with a 20-second lead over solo chaser Lorenzo Fortunato and the peloton a further 20 seconds further back.
Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad had controlled the pace for much of the day and the Slovenian was widely expected to attack on the final climb and extend his narrow lead in the red jersey.
The race continues on Tuesday with a 104.8km stage starting and beginning in Andorra la Vella, which will see a shake-up in the general classification standings as the race favourites tackle four tough categorised climbs.
- Flo Clifford
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Saturday, 22 August 2026
Saturday, 15 August 2026
FINLAY TARLING'S TEAM WITHDRAWS FROM RACE FOLLOWING TEEN CYCLIST DEATH IN PORTUGAL
NSN Development confirmed it would withdraw from the remaining stages of the Volta a Portugal
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| Finlay Tarling (second from the left) has died at the age of 19 (Getty) |
NSN Development has withdrawn from the remaining stages of the Volta a Portugal following the death of their rider, 19-year-old Finlay Tarling.
Tarling, the younger brother of Ineos Grenadiers cyclist Josh, was involved in a “serious accident” while taking part in the eighth stage of the 166.8km route from Melgaço to Fafe.
Tarling was riding for the NSN Development Team, having signed a two-year deal ahead of the 2025 season.
In a statement, NSN said: “Following Fin Tarling’s tragic passing on Friday, the NSN Development Team has withdrawn from the remaining Volta a Portugal stages.”
“With the full support of Fin’s parents, the WorldTour team will race on at Czech Tour and the Arctic Race of Norway. We will continue to hold Fin in our hearts as we race in his honour, doing what he loved most.
“We want to thank everyone in the cycling community and beyond for the incredible support at this difficult time.”
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| The team of Finlay Tarling have withdrawn from the Volta a Portugal (PA) |
Organisers confirmed Saturday’s penultimate stage would continue “in an atmosphere of profound mourning”, with tributes paid to the 19-year-old before the start.
“We all remain deeply shaken. Cycling is a sport that carries risks, but we are never prepared for a tragedy of this magnitude,” a statement read.
“Finlay lost his life. A family lost a son. A team lost a teammate. Cycling lost one of its own. It is a tragedy that goes beyond the competition itself.
“As a sign of respect and mourning, the event’s main sponsors have agreed with the organisation to cancel all activities planned for the final two days.
“The race continues. There will be sporting competition, but there will be no celebration. This Saturday, the Volta rides for Finlay.”
Major Tiago Machado of the National Republican Guard (GNR) told local media the cyclist was in collision with a light goods vehicle.
The Volta statement added: “This is not the time for speculation about the circumstances of the accident.
The incident is being investigated by the GNR Command, which is responsible for rigorously establishing the facts.”
- Carl Markham
BRITISH CYCLIST FINLAY TARLING DEAD AT 19
British cyclist Finlay Tarling, 19, has died after a serious accident during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal road race.
- Sky Sports
Sunday, 9 August 2026
Saturday, 8 August 2026
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