Cyclingflash
Third stage of Setmana Valenciana canceled due to strong wind gusts

Third stage of Setmana Valenciana canceled due to strong wind gusts

The third stage of the Setmana Valenciana, the Women's Tour of Valencia, has been cancelled. The organizers were forced to call off the stage due to strong gusts of wind, according to an official statement.

"Due to the weather forecast for tomorrow, February 14, and an orange alert issued by Aemet (the Spanish national meteorological institute) because of the strong wind gusts expected in the province of Alicante, the third stage, scheduled between Agost and La Nucia, will not take place," the statement reads.

The organizers emphasize that this decision was made in consultation with all stakeholders. "This is a collective decision agreed upon by teams, riders, safety officials, public and political representatives, the Guardia Civil, and the president of the commissaires panel as the UCI representative."

The profile of the cancelled stage:

Tour of Valencia decapitated?
"It is a difficult decision, but we must make it to guarantee the safety of the riders and everyone involved. This is the first of all 39 stages in the history of our race that cannot take place, but safety is always our priority. The race will continue on Sunday with the fourth stage, the final ride between Sagunt and Valencia," concluded the organizers. For the same reason, there had also been debate among riders about whether to proceed with the first stage, but after a vote, it was decided to go ahead. That stage was won by Demi Vollering.

The cancellation of the third stage leaves a significant mark on the stage race. On paper, the stage was the toughest, featuring climbs such as the Port de Tudons (15 kilometers at 5%) and the Port de Confrides (6.4 kilometers at 4.8%) in the finale. Vollering currently leads the general classification with a 56-second advantage.