A mysterious illness cuts through the ranks of riders at Vuelta a Espana

The 2025 Vuelta a Espana has only just complete its first third, but we have already seen 12 riders abandon the race. Quite a high number compared to previous Grand Tours (7 at Tour and 11 at Giro) this year, especially as there were no severe crashes (compared to both Tour and Giro). If we scroll through announcements of respective teams, we find a repeating theme in the reasons provided for riders' abandons so far: A mysterious illness.

The most recent abandon was that of young Spanish rider Daniel Cavia Sanz of Burgos Burpellet BH, who gave up early into the stage due to an illness. And is it appears some of his teammates might follow the suit: "Several riders have been infected with a virus that is affecting their performance," the Spanish team announced on X. We have seen another Grand Tour debutant Mario Aparicio struggle to finish the stage yesterday, 10 minutes behind the gruppetto.

The ranks of home riders took two blows today with Cristián Rodríguez not turning up to the startline today. His team Arkéa - B&B Hotels confirmed that the race has been anything but joy for the Spaniard up to the point where continuing no longer made sense. A low blow for the top-20 finisher at this year's Tour de France. The 30-year-old had good chances of battling for a stage victory at some point during the race.

While for Arkéa this is a first abandon, Burgos is already down to six men. Carlos García Pierna, older brother of today's podium finisher Raúl, gave up during fourth stage with a persistent virus not allowing the 26-year-old to give his best since the first stage in Turin.

It's not only the Spanish ProTeam that is being haunted so far in the race. The reports of riders struggling with their own body are stacking up and not even the biggest teams are safe. Soudal - Quick-Step had already lost two men in the first week.

Valentin Paret-Peintre forfeited at the same day as Carlos García Pierna. His teammate Pepijn Reinderink did the same two stages later. "We will continue the Vuelta with six after Pepijn Reinderink was forced to abandon due to illness. We wish you a speedy recovery, Pepijn," Soudal - Quick-Step announced on X. 

Next to Reinderink, also Arjen Livyns didn't appear at the start on Thursday. "We regret to announce that Arjen Livyns will not be competing in the Vuelta a España," his team Lotto announced on X. "After yesterday's team time trial, Arjen became ill, and his condition did not improve overnight. After careful consideration, our medical staff has decided to withdraw him from the race for his own health and well-being. We wish Arjen a speedy and full recovery."

The same story goes for Simon Carr whose final day at Vuelta has been the team time trial. "After being ill for several days, Simon Carr will not start in the sixth stage. We wish Simon a good recovery," Cofidis announced via X.

Climbers Luca Vergallito and Koen Bouwman are another names that disappeared from the race as a consequence of health complications and we can only speculate if more riders aren't facing a similar struggle.