"Hard to stay upright" - Vuelta a Espana stage 17 faces nervous wait amid more disruption

After Stage 16 was cut short by protests, the Vuelta a Espana is facing the prospect of another disrupted day, this time because of extreme weather. Organisers are monitoring conditions on the Alto de El Morredero, where fierce winds are already causing problems for the stage setup.

Journalist Heriberto Frade reported the situation on social media: “There's an incredibly strong wind at this hour in El Morredero. For now, it's even hard to stay upright, and starting the setup is impossible. The Vuelta will wait a couple of hours to see how the situation develops and decide if the stage keeps its design.”

The uncertainty has cast doubt on one of the most important summit finishes of the race. After protesters twice disrupted the route in the past week, the Vuelta now faces a natural force that could alter plans again. With the general classification delicately poised, Jonas Vingegaard leading João Almeida by 48 seconds, very climb counts.

The Alto de El Morredero is no ordinary mountain. Officially 12.1 kilometres long at an average of 7.9%, the ascent is split into punishing sections. The first 1.5 kilometres bite at 9% before a false flat offers brief relief. From there, the “real” climb begins: the final 8.8 kilometres average 9.5%, with the steepest ramps in the opening half of that segment. It is the kind of climb where pure climbers can shred the peloton and redefine the GC.

Whether that battle can happen today is the question hanging over the race. If the winds remain too strong for safe racing and for the setup of the finish area, the organisers may be forced to shorten the stage or move the line down the mountain, echoing the improvisation that already defined Stage 16.