The rains put the Granada finale of La Vuelta 2026 in jeopardy and affect the training camps of several WorldTour teams

The Vuelta a España 2026 is expected to have a highly demanding sporting conclusion in Granada, with the last two stages entirely concentrated in the Andalusian province. However, the torrential rains of recent days have caused serious damage to part of the route.

Historic rains in Granada: Hazallanas damaged and training altered in Sierra Nevada

The penultimate stage, between the castle of La Calahorra and the unprecedented summit (for the Vuelta) of Collado del Alguacil, is set to be the queen stage of the edition, with more than 5,000 meters of accumulated elevation gain and a chain of climbs that offers no respite.

The route of stage 20 includes the ascent to Blancares, the passage through Hazallanas, the very tough climb to Purche, and a new passage through Hazallanas before facing the demanding finish at Collado del Alguacil, an ascent well-known by local cyclists and long-awaited in the layout of La Vuelta. However, current events have focused attention on one of those key points of the route: the condition of the start of the Hazallanas climb after the intense rains of recent days.

 

 

 

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The successive storms that have affected Andalusia have caused significant damage in the lower area of Hazallanas, around the Canales reservoir and the access from Güéjar Sierra. According to information released by local media, the bridge leading to the mountain road has suffered significant structural damage due to the force of the water and landslides, which has forced the usual traffic to be cut off for safety reasons.

This point is precisely the start of the ascent to Hazallanas, one of the most decisive climbs in the Granada design of La Vuelta 2026. Although there are still more than seven months until the race, with an expected arrival in Granada on September 12, the situation will require the organization to closely monitor the progress of the repair work to ensure that the planned route can be maintained without modifications.

The Storm Limits Outdoor Training and Forces WorldTour Riders to Use Rollers

The weather situation has also impacted the preparation of several professional teams that were already concentrated in Sierra Nevada for altitude training ahead of the first classics of the season.

The adverse conditions throughout the province have been so persistent that some riders have even been forced to resort to training on rollers, something unusual in an area that is known for allowing, in just 40 minutes of travel, to avoid storms and continue training normally.

Belgian Wout van Aert shared one of these indoor sessions on social media, reflecting the exceptional nature of the episode. "I still can't feel the Spanish warmth, so I've decided to ride in Switzerland." This is how Van Aert described his roller session from Sierra Nevada.

With several months still ahead, the viability of the route will depend on the progress of the repairs and whether the road can regain the necessary conditions to accommodate the passage of the peloton. A scenario that adds uncertainty to a race finish that, on paper, was set to be one of the most demanding in recent years.