“The heat really made itself felt” - Vuelta's searing heat already causing concern in the peloton after extreme weather scare
CyclingThursday, 27 August 2026 at 14:30
Enric Mas remains on the provisional podium at the Vuelta a España 2026. The Movistar Team rider tackled stage five, finishing in Roquetes, from third overall and again came through a day defined by heat and a hard tempo in the final kilometres without trouble.
After crossing the line, the Spanish rider from Movistar Team admitted the high temperatures hit hardest in the closing phase. It was no surprise, though, with riders already warned that heat would be a major factor in this edition. It comes just days after an extreme hail storm ended stage 3 in the south of France.
“Heading to the finish today the heat really bit. We’d talked on the bus that it would be hot, but, well, we already knew this would be a hot Vuelta. There was rain in the forecast, but anyway,” Mas explained at the finish.
The Movistar rider is, in fact, quite comfortable in the heat. Before the start he had already said he enjoys racing in high temperatures and hopes the mercury stays high across the three weeks.
Already thinking about the sterrato in Castellón
Mas was also asked about the dirt sectors on the Vuelta route. In this case, he was looking beyond stage five to what awaits the peloton on Thursday.
Stage six runs from Alcossebre to Castellón over 177.5 kilometres with a medium-mountain profile. The day includes four categorised climbs and features El Bartolo, where a dirt section could inject significant uncertainty among the favourites.
“We know the dirt sector. It’s a different type of finish but, well, we’re going to enjoy it,” said Mas.
The sterrato will therefore be a major storyline on a sixth stage that could prove especially awkward for the GC contenders. The dirt stretch on El Bartolo is one of the route’s most eye-catching novelties and could create gaps if the pace is high or mechanicals strike.
Enric Mas at the 2026 Vuelta a España
Mas sits in third overall
The Spaniard stays in a prime position after the opening five stages. Mas is showing good signs in a Vuelta he is approaching with a more cautious tone than in past years, focused on monitoring his body day by day.
He had already explained before the race that he had gone almost two years without riding a Grand Tour for the general classification and that his plan was to assess his sensations stage by stage.
For now, the results back him up. The Balearic sits third overall and remains close to the leading favourites, while Movistar Team retains one of its key cards to fight for the top places.
The race now turns to a very different sixth stage. The route from Alcossebre to Castellón will mix climbs, descents, and sterrato before the finish, a scenario where Mas will again have to show he can hold firm with the best.
For the moment, the Spaniard is enjoying the Vuelta and his position on GC. Looking ahead, he keeps the message simple: “It’s a different finish but, well, we’re going to enjoy it.”
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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