At over 40 degrees in the shade, the human body reaches its limits. Find out which tactics the pro cyclists use to defy the extreme heat at the Vuelta.
Bike races in extreme temperatures are an enormous strain on the body. At the Vuelta a España, it recently became clear how extreme the conditions in the south of Spain can get. On the 15th stage to Córdoba, temperatures climbed so high that for the first time in the modern history of the tour, the organisers applied the extreme weather protocol and shortened the route by around 80 kilometres. Instead of the planned 189 kilometres, the pros only had to cover a good 110 kilometres.
The riders' reports make it clear how brutal the conditions on the asphalt were. According to reports from Velo by Outside and Cyclingnews, the bike computer of Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike) showed an average temperature of 41 degrees – on the first climb, the value even rose to 44 degrees. Such conditions are not only uncomfortable, but dangerous. Arthur Kluckers from Team Tudor even had to be transported to hospital in an ambulance because of the heat.
In order to be able to perform at all under such extreme conditions, the pro teams use various strategies. The most important foundation is already laid long before the race: as João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) explained to Cyclingnews, targeted heat training is a fixed part of the riders' preparation to accustom the body to the strain. Nevertheless, he emphasises that in these areas you are moving at the absolute limit of the human body.
During the race, cooling and pacing are the main focus. The riders use every opportunity to cool down and hydrate with plenty of water. Another decisive factor is the race tactics. Tobias Halland Johannessen reported that the sports directors gave their riders an unusual instruction before the stage: to do absolutely nothing, hide in the peloton and not waste any unnecessary energy. In the heat, every bit of energy saved counts in order not to endanger your health.
Recovery after the exertion is also taken extremely seriously. Matthew Brennan explained after the heat battle that his plan for the following rest day consisted of exactly one thing: lying in bed, sleeping and doing absolutely nothing.
If you are out on your road bike yourself in high temperatures during the summer, you can copy some of the pros' behaviours to stay safe and perform well:
Should you feel unwell, dizzy or suffer from headaches during or after a ride in the heat, seek shade immediately and, if in doubt, always have your symptoms professionally checked.
Your takeaway: Radically adjust your intensity on hot days, actively cool your body with water and do not force peak performances when the thermometer rises.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.