Inside how a quiet hotel became the centre of a dramatic Vuelta a Espana moment - Pogacar and Van Aert walking around lobby, fans handing out towels and children taking selfies
CyclingWednesday, 26 August 2026 at 11:15
A quiet hotel became the centre of the cycling universe on Monday in dramatic fashion as the peloton took safety into their own hands, hiding out from an extreme hailstorm in the Pyrenees that saw stage 3 cancelled. As the Vuelta a Espana circus ground to a sudden unplanned halt, the race was taken in by a generous hotel.
In surreal footage and images, around 300 riders, team staff and race officials crammed into a hotel as Tadej Pogacar and Wout van Aert roamed the lobbies, fans handed out towels to soaked cyclists and children ran around chasing selfies and autographs from their heroes.
The IGESA Village Club hotel in Mont-Louis was propelled to international fame as they rolled out the red carpet for the convey, sheltering the peloton for almost two hours as a moment of anxiety turned into a relaxed atmosphere after the race was officially cancelled.
"Everyone was soaked, but as soon as it became clear that the race was being neutralized, the atmosphere changed completely," Hotel manager Guillaume Villeneuve said.
"It happened very suddenly," Villeneuve begins. "The hailstorm was of extreme severity. The peloton decided to stop, and we were simply in the right place at the right time."
Hotel transformed in a matter of seconds
Describing the initial moment of panic as riders fled from huge hailstones, veering off course to the hotel and effectively neutralising the race themselves, Villeneuve described the initial panic.
“And then everyone came in at once. First the riders, then the support staff, the media, and the security forces. In a matter of seconds, our hotel changed completely.
“We didn’t count them, but there were a huge number. In the first few minutes, there was some chaos. No one really knew what was going to happen. Was the race cancelled? Would they start again?”
Despite the panic, the hotel quickly embraced their sudden surge in popularity, making use of their extensive bars and lounges to temporarily house the riders and dishing out towels to help them dry and keep warm.
“We are lucky that we have a lot of space,” Villeneuve said. “We have various lounges, a bar, and a fitness room. The riders quickly dispersed throughout the building. After the initial surprise, we simply did what any hotelier would do: help people looking for shelter.
“Really soaking wet. So we immediately handed out towels so they could dry themselves off. Then we offered hot drinks, because it was cold and everyone needed to warm up again.”
The race rushes for cover in extreme hail conditions
Hotel feeds riders and keeps them warm as fans and guests step up to help
Praising the discipline and manners of the cyclists, he noted how guests and fans stepped up to start providing sustenance and towels to the riders as children took advantage of their opportunity to make memories with their heroes. In what proved a feel-good story for a peloton that had just been battered by the elements, the situation went well for Villeneuve.
"We handed out fruit, as well as candy and other small treats, anything that could provide quick energy. In the end, everything went remarkably calmly. Cyclists are incredibly disciplined. After a few minutes, the situation was actually very easy to manage.
“Of course I recognized Tadej Pogacar. As soon as it became clear that the race had been neutralized, everyone relaxed. The atmosphere changed completely. Everyone was laughing."
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He added: "Our guests were surprised at first. They had walked to the road to watch the Vuelta ride past, and suddenly they were experiencing the Vuelta in their own hotel. Children were walking around for selfies and autographs. The riders took plenty of time for that. They were incredibly friendly.
"The parents handed out towels together with us. They helped carry around drinks. That was particularly beautiful to see."
The hotel has shot to fame in the days since the incident, with riders taking to the internet to leave good reviews, a host of journalists highlighting the hotel and a memorable moment in the hotelier's career.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- This shitt happens only in cycling. Only in cycling you have to gift races, or stay behind so someone else can win. The French were booing Pogi this year at the Tour, just because he was winning too much???PogiSloFans26-08-2026
- “With that madman you don’t even know what the time limit is going to be,” Romeo joked, referring to the Slovenian’s pace. LOL!MajorPayne26-08-2026
- Yeah, but Roger de Vlaeminck is an utter fool. He has stirred public opinion with foolish comments about modern cycling stars such as Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, and Remco Evenepoel. No one takes the S.O.B seriously.PogiSloFans26-08-2026
- Yeah there's no doubt about that, but why would he do that? Why would he go to the Vuelta just to lose?PogiSloFans26-08-2026
- Being penalized for superior genetics is wild.
Front24226-08-2026 - From 2027 and on, when Pogi competes in the Vuelta, he should have a handicap of 10 minutes ... 8 minutes in the Giro and 5 minutes in the Tour, so that races are interesting for the spectators throughout all 21 stages. There is no other way for those who seek uncertainty... for those who say Pogi is "boring"... for those cry babies, complaining and whining when they do not get their own wayPogiSloFans26-08-2026
- Er, it could just be that Renz is not a fan of Pogi and he can't stand his dominance.PogiSloFans26-08-2026
- Or, as Roger de Vlaeminck would say, the peloton are weaklings.
Rafionain-Glas26-08-2026
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