Fires could disrupt the Vuelta a España

The northwest of Spain, sadly in the news these days due to the forest fires that are devastating its mountains, will be the setting for stages 14, 15, 16, and 17 of La Vuelta a España. This generates some uncertainty about the final route of these stages, especially stage 17, with the finish at Alto de Morredero and passing through the surroundings of Las Médulas.

La Vuelta pending the evolution of the fires in northern Spain

The last stage in Asturias, stage 14, with the finish at La Farrapona, a few kilometers from Leonese lands, the two Galician stages with finishes in Monforte de Lemos and Castro de Herville in stages 15 and 16, and the one that, a priori, is one of the important stages of La Vuelta, with the spectacular finish at Alto de Morredero, have their final route still up in the air, pending what may happen with the forest fires that are devastating León and Galicia.

Especially the last of them, not only because of the presence of an active fire but because it passes through the vicinity of the ancient Roman mines of Las Médulas, completely devastated by one of the most significant fires that have occurred over the past week.

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In any case, with still almost three weeks to go before the dispute of these stages, already in the month of September, it is not likely that the changes in the route that may occur will be significant, although small adjustments in the stages' route are not ruled out.

Also, stage 20, the last decisive day of the race, has its final route up in the air. Initially, this stage ascends the beautiful La Escondida pass, a lovely road through pine forests on the Ávila side of the Sierra de Guadarrama, which was also affected by a forest fire that, in principle, should not prevent passage through the area.

However, in this stage, what could be in danger is the spectacular finish at Bola del Mundo, the impressive 4-kilometer concrete wall that ascends from the Navacerrada pass to the top of Alto de las Guarramillas. An area included within the Guadarrama National Park, which has led Ecologists in Action to raise concerns about the supposed impact on the natural environment of this high mountain area of great fragility, as stated in the statement by this ecological group, which could result in an event with massive public attendance like La Vuelta.

The ecological group has requested a report from the park's governing body on the possible negative impacts that the arrival of La Vuelta could have, while also requesting that this ascent be eliminated, so the stage, if the request is successful, would end at the Puerto de Navacerrada. However, Unipublic has stated that La Vuelta has all the necessary authorizations for stage 20 to conclude at Bola del Mundo.