Heat in Vuelta a España takes extreme forms: almost everyone suffers and is afraid, but are there solutions?

After the fourth stage won by Primoz Roglic, many riders started Tuesday on top of the Pico Villuercas about the intense heat in this Vuelta a España. The Tour of Spain continues toward Seville on Wednesday, where the riders will have anything but time to cool off. Temperatures in the finishing city will rise to just under 40 degrees Celsius. Even hotter than the day before, in other words...

The number three rider in Tuesday's day's result, Joao Almeida (UAE-Team Emirates), spoke plainly about the Spanish temperatures. "It was a challenging and hot day. I think records were broken regarding heat; it was super hot," concluded the Portuguese, who is now second in the GC. Almeida was undoubtedly one of many who started talking about the heat.

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Richard Carapaz in "zone of despair" due to water shortage

"It was extremely damn hot, and the legs hurt seriously. I think many riders exploded on the last climb, and I was one of them," Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) said plainly after the stage. The Dane conceded 43 seconds to Roglic and is now eighth overall. Richard Carapaz gave up even more time. He lost 1 minute and 29 seconds and even faced a water shortage. "It was a scorching day, maybe 40 degrees, and the climb was particularly tough. Ultimately, I ran out of water, which made it extra tough. I found myself in a difficult situation, a zone of despair, but tried to give everything," the Colombian took his loss.

And so were many other riders who spoke about the heat in interviews. Italian Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious) drew comparisons to the Giro d'Italia. "That's the big difference with the Giro: the heat and the steep climbs. It was hot, but I see it as an excellent start to my Vuelta." Felix Gall, who surprised friend and foe by finishing fifth, came up with a slightly more extensive analysis. "It was a scorching day, and I must admit I didn't feel good either. Only on the final climb did I feel I had good legs. Setting your pace on a hot day is hard, but I didn't explode."

Mikel Landa "scared by the heat," is there a solution?

For Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech), Tuesday was a day the American won't soon forget. He managed to keep up with the very best on the Pico Villuercas, finishing at the same time as Roglic. "I don't think I've ever raced or trained in such hot weather, but it was a good day," the 22-year-old talent said. Mikel Landa, the experienced Spaniard from Soudal Quick-Step competing in his eighth Vuelta, had even beforehand doubts due to the heat. "I was apprehensive about this stage because of the heat and didn't feel well. But it was fine, and I hope it will only improve."

So the Vuelta heads to Seville this Wednesday, where the temperature will rise even further than a day earlier on the Pico Villuercas. Next Friday, the finish will be in Cordoba, a city like Sevilla, one of the hottest cities in Europe. Temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius are expected in both cities. These are temperatures in which racing might be dangerous. But then, what is the solution? Move the Vuelta to after the World Cup? Or perhaps reverse the Giro and the Vuelta? Food for thought...

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