Extreme temperatures and steep climbs shape the Vuelta a España. How pros keep cool at 40 degrees and how you can use these strategies for your training.
The Vuelta a España is considered one of the toughest tests in road cycling. In 2026, the race is once again showing its most extreme side: temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius in Andalusia, brutal mountain stages with over 4000 metres of elevation gain like at the Sierra de la Pandera, and an unforgivingly high race pace demand everything from the riders. But the pros also show how you can deliver peak performance even under these conditions with the right strategies, team tactics, and mental strength.
When the thermometer cracks the 40-degree mark, the body's temperature regulation becomes the decisive performance factor. How extreme the conditions at the Vuelta are is illustrated by New Zealander Finn Fisher-Black from Team Red Bull – Bora – hansgrohe after stage 13. According to his accounts to media representatives, he needed around 30 bottles of fluid during the 192-kilometre ride. His strategy consisted of continuously pouring water over his head and body and using ice for cooling whenever it was available.
Matthew Brennan from Visma – Lease a Bike also immediately resorted to a proven pro method after crossing the finish line: he put a sock filled with ice on the back of his neck to lower his core body temperature as quickly as possible. For recreational athletes, this shows that on hot days, fluid intake and active external cooling must be the top priority, even before thirst sets in.
Stage 13 to Loja also provided a masterclass in team tactics. Team Visma – Lease a Bike placed several riders in a huge breakaway group that at times numbered 43 riders. Matthew Brennan and Wout van Aert worked together perfectly. Brennan, who has already claimed three stage wins at this Vuelta, put himself completely at the service of his teammate. He neutralised numerous attacks from the competition in the finale, allowing van Aert to launch the decisive attack around 3.5 kilometres from the finish and secure the day's victory.
This teamwork shows how important a clear division of roles and mutual support are. In cycling, it is rarely the strongest individual competitor who wins, but the team with the smartest distribution of energy.
Another aspect of the Vuelta is proper energy management on extremely steep ramps. Stage 14 to the Sierra de la Pandera features 4170 metres of elevation gain. General classification leader Enric Mas (Movistar) emphasised before this stage how important it is to ride defensively and save energy for the tough days ahead. Instead of attacking at every opportunity, the focus is on controlled management of the lead.
For amateur athletes, this is a valuable lesson: if you blow all your energy on the first steep climb, you will inevitably blow up on the following kilometres. A constant pace and awareness of your own limits ensure you make it to the finish on long rides.
Your takeaway: On hot days, use every opportunity for active cooling with water and pace yourself defensively on long climbs right from the start.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.