Extreme Heat Sends Kluckers to Hospital as Six More Riders Exit Sweltering Vuelta a España

The Vuelta a España peloton is melting faster than ice in a glass of sangria as a heatwave collides with the Spanish grand tour.

Stage 12 brought another brutal toll Thursday as six riders left the race, including three who did not start and three who abandoned during the stage.

Tudor Pro Cycling’s Arthur Kluckers was transported to a hospital in an ambulance after struggling in temperatures that reached 38°C (100°F).

Team officials told Velo that Kluckers felt dizzy but did not lose consciousness.

“During today’s 12th stage of La Vuelta, Arthur Kluckers suffered from the heat and, unfortunately, was forced to abandon the race,” a team note read. “He underwent examinations by the team’s medical staff, which were reassuring. Arrangements are being made for his prompt return home.”

The official Vuelta medical report classified the incident as a “syncopal episode” and said Kluckers received treatment before being transported by ambulance after responding well.

Tudor subsequently clarified that the Luxembourg national champion did not pass out.

Conditions were brutal across Thursday’s climbing stage to Calar Alto, with temperatures soaring under a “heat dome” that’s covering Spain.

Visma-Lease a Bike also lost Ben Tulett, who remained affected by injuries sustained in the stage 8 crash that ended Tadej Pogačar’s race.

“Unfortunately, Ben Tulett will not start today’s stage of La Vuelta due to lingering issues from his crash a few days ago,” Visma said.

Tulett’s departure compounded a difficult day for Visma as 2023 Vuelta champion Sepp Kuss — who also crashed with Pogačar — struggled on the summit finish and slipped to eighth overall.

UAE Emirates-XRG lost its third rider when Jay Vine abandoned after several days of illness.

“Unfortunately Jay Vine has been feeling unwell the past few days and on today’s stage 12 was unable to finish the race. He will now travel home for rest and recovery,” the team said.

UAE had already lost Pablo Torres, who did not finish stage 9, and Pogačar.

Hamish McKenzie (Jayco-AlUla), David Gonzalez (Pinarello-Q36.5), and Lindsay De Vylder (Alpecin-Premier Tech) also left the race Thursday as crashes, illness, fatigue, and oppressive temperatures continued to thin the peloton.

NSN’s Alexey Lutsenko will not start Friday’s stage 13, who confirmed earlier he would retire at the end of 2026.

‘Yellow heat warning’ in effect for Friday

Conditions could become even more punishing Friday.

Temperatures during stage 13 could reach 40°C (104°F), with an official “yellow heat warning” in effect from the Alto del Legionario to the finish in Loja.

A heat dome is trapping hot air across the Iberian Peninsula, prompting race officials to again loosen feeding regulations.

Teams will be allowed to hand riders musettes loaded with water bottles inside designated bottle zones during Friday’s stage.

Twenty-five riders have left the race through the opening 12 stages, a figure roughly in line with the attrition typically seen by the halfway point of La Vuelta.

The names and circumstances, however, make the 2026 Vuelta different.

Pogačar became the first red jersey to crash out of the Vuelta since Igor Antón in 2010 when his high-speed fall ended his race on stage 8.

The world No. 1 returned home Wednesday following surgery, and there’s no still no official word if he might be able to race the Montréal road worlds later this month.

Mads Pedersen, Kaden Groves, Cian Uijtdebroeks, Josh Tarling and George Bennett are also among the other star riders already gone.

Extreme heat is expected to continue across the weekend, forecasters said.