"When it is 42, 46 or even 50 degrees, why not find an alternative time?" - UAE manager Matxin proposes radical change to Vuelta stage times to beat the heat
CyclingTuesday, 08 September 2026 at 13:45
UAE Team Emirates - XRG team manager Joxean Matxin has proposed a radical change at the Vuelta a Espana to beat the heat as the temperatures sore at the Grand Tour, with many riders voicing their concerns and the extreme heat protocol already used over the weekend.
UAE are down to just four riders at the Spanish Grand Tour after Pogacar's abandon was followed up with Pablo Torres, Jay Vine and Pavel Sivakov leaving the race. They continue with Joao Almeida, Kevin Vermaerke, Domen Novak and Iyo Oliveira.
However, the UAE boss has called on the Vuelta organisers and TV broadcasters to consider changing the times stages start to avoid the peak heat that has seen temperatures reach as high as 41 degrees.
Acknowledging that the organisers made the right move to shorten stage 15 on Sunday, he believes that more needs to be done to prepare for extreme temperatures that threaten the wellbeing of the riders, with several sighting the heat as a reason to leave the race.
“The feeling of heat is often difficult to appreciate on television, but when you are here you realise what it is really like,” Matxin told Eurosport.
Joxean Matxin
Matxin thinks stage times could be changed
“Racing a stage in these conditions can cause serious problems. We have already seen riders abandon because of heatstroke and two days ago we also lost Pavel Sivakov because of the heat.”
A different schedule is what Matxin proposes: “In many cases these can be dangerous situations. There is a heat protocol and I think the organisation made a good decision by shortening the stage.
“Why don’t we look at a different schedule as well? I know that might not be ideal for television, but when it is 42, 46 or even 50 degrees, why not find an alternative time?”
With the race often starting in the early afternoon, riders are exposed to extreme temparatures right from the off. Acknowledging that the afternoon and early evening stage start and finish times are TV-friendly, he believes that something can be done.
Matxin hopes cycling organisers and broadcasters can adapt
“Starting and racing at three in the afternoon, when the heat is at its strongest, does not really help the heat protocol either.
“So I would put that idea forward as well. Television may also have to adapt to these situations.”
Ultimately, rider safety is Matxin's concern. Finding a solution to ensure that the situation can be avoided rather than eased is suggested.
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“We have to try to be neutral in these situations. When we lose a rider because of heatstroke, that should not be the moment to think about whether changing the race benefits or disadvantages someone.”
“I don’t want to get into whether one rider benefits more or another loses out. We have to find a neutral solution where everyone is competing in equal conditions.”
He added: “Shortening a stage will benefit some riders and hurt others as well. But I think looking for the common good is the most sensible approach and, above all, a question of respect.”
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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- Pogi is not racing he crashed out lol🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣paultryan200208-09-2026
- Even Britain did better at leaving than you. You just can’t resist can you. There’s a word for that. Actually, you can choose from a few.Jumpyjohn08-09-2026
- C’mon man, we got your point (even if not everyone agrees) but don’t make yourself look silly by insisting. According to the listing here (which no-one so far has called out for being wrong or incomplete, I’m not going to check), by my calculations we are at 11200CHF after 15 stages, 8 of them had zero, there is only doubt about stages 8 and 11 but it won’t make much difference. How on earth do you think they’ll get to 63k, there aren’t enough commissaires and hours to write fines for every rider?Jumpyjohn08-09-2026
- Sometimes I can still hear Mou's voice on the wind..wrsty08-09-2026
- If he never won another race he'd still be worth his weight in gold to the team as a fan favourite to trot out, so I'm sure they aren't worried about anythingwrsty08-09-2026
- Yes, I guess they will have done that. But Pog having to sign it less than a week after a severe concussion, with initial recovery interrupted by a lengthy operation, the timing seems wrong to me. But that's just my feeling/opinion.Hills3308-09-2026
- They can put a clause into the contract... if Pogi can't race anymore. You can put in contract terms for it's cancellation, exit conditions, or specified notice periods. It's all possible...and everyone signing has to agree.PogiSloFans08-09-2026
- It's interesting he mentioned Lorenzo Finn. It would be absolutely incredible if Finn could follow another 19 year old Italian super talent - Kimi Antonelli - and go on to become World Champion!Cooldude08-09-2026
- In what way? If you mean I didn't put it very well, I'm thinking this was not a great time for UAE to be signing a contract extension with Tadej, with the worst-case possibility that, like Luke Rowe, he may never be able to race again.Hills3308-09-2026
- 2034, not 2032, was what I gotRidesHills08-09-2026
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