{"id":2110639,"date":"2026-08-25T12:05:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T09:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2110639"},"modified":"2026-08-25T12:05:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T09:05:41","slug":"we-did-it-with-our-heart-and-with-a-lot-of-pleasure-hotel-owner-blown-away-by-riders-and-five-star-reviews-after-giving-shelter-to-vuelta-a-espana-peloton-amid-hailstorm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2110639","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure&#8217; \u2013 Hotel owner blown away by riders and five-star reviews after giving shelter to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton amid hailstorm"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ggdNJG7s46eMjQQASGdcgQ-2000-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<div id=\"kiosq-metered-message\" class=\"kiosq-metered-message-content\"><\/div>\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure&#8217; \u2013 Hotel owner blown away by riders and five-star reviews after giving shelter to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton amid hailstorm<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-25T12:05:41Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;We opened the doors for them all to come in and shelter. There was no hesitation&#8217; hotel manager tells Cyclingnews<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ggdNJG7s46eMjQQASGdcgQ.jpg\" alt=\"FONT-ROMEU, FRANCE - AUGUST 24: General view of the atmosphere after the cancellation of the stage due to a hailstorm during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 3 a 174km from Gruissan - Aude to Font Romeu 1941m \/ The stage is cancelled due to extreme weather conditions \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 24, 2026 in Font Romeu, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block-image-ads hero-image absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full object-center\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"> <span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Riders pile in to the IGESA Village Club hotel during stage 3<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>    <span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-484b11f8-a079-11f1-8a10-d10cf1454967\">Professional cycling is a funny old sport, where the star of the show on a stage of one of the biggest races in the world might not be a rider, or a team, but a hotel \u2013 and at that, a humble one-star establishment that, following stage 3 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, has been inundated with five-star reviews.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p>In a dramatic turn of events towards the end of Monday\u2019s stage, a huge hailstorm battered the race and led to race leader Tadej Poga\u010dar leading a peloton off the race route and down towards the only building in sight, the IGESA Village Club in Les Sorbiers in the French Pyrenees.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-484b11f8-a079-11f1-8a10-d10cf1454967-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After hugging the sides of the building to escape the icy pelting from the skies, the doors were soon opened, and the riders were invited in, where they were able to shelter properly and get warm. The hotel has since gone viral in its own way, with a number of riders and teams showing their gratitude amid a wave of new five-star reviews for the establishment on Google.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-mobile\"><\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full\" data-jwp-carousel-player-host><\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\u201cIncredibly kind and helpful staff!\u201d wrote the US pro Will Barta, while the Picnic-PostNL team added: Warm and welcoming reception area with friendly staff and a nice place to be able to shelter from any inclement weather in the area.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-2\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There were plenty more reviews in the names of riders that looked to be spoofs, but there have been hundreds of five-star reviews in the past 24 hours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em>Cyclingnews<\/em> put in a phone call to reception on Tuesday morning, and the general manager Guillaume Villeneuve was on hand to talk us through one of the most unusual days he has seen at the IGESA Village Club.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Myself and the staff were on the side of the road ready to cheer on the riders,&#8221; he explained. \u201cIn actual fact we all got back at the same time \u2013 us and the riders.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-cF47fd4Cc84TUmmDDnFEsE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-cF47fd4Cc84TUmmDDnFEsE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We opened the doors for them all to come in and shelter. There was no hesitation, it was an easy decision to make. It\u2019s normal, it\u2019s our job. It\u2019s normal and logical that we welcome everyone in, so that they can be safe from the storm.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-0451a4ca-a07a-11f1-bb54-c7ad24f38821\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-special-atmosphere-inside-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A special atmosphere inside<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-7d44c818-a07e-11f1-b0a9-f9a52a77636c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ixVquGH2zoFfZFSdSyg3L.jpg\" alt=\"FONT-ROMEU, FRANCE - AUGUST 24: (L-R) Jarno Widar of Belgium and Reuben Thompson of New Zealand and Team Lotto Intermarche react after the cancellation of the stage due to a hailstorm during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 3 a 174km from Gruissan - Aude to Font Romeu 1941m \/ The stage is cancelled due to extreme weather conditions \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 24, 2026 in Font Romeu, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 riders Jarno Widar and Reuben Thompson shelter from the elements <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-0451a54c-a07a-11f1-a042-99059178aaef\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The images that have emerged from inside the hotel are striking. Riders, in one shot, can be seen lining the staircase as they wait for the storm to pass and for their team buses to collect them following the news of the stage\u2019s cancellation.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Villeneuve\u2019s team quickly sprang into action, handing out towels to the riders before going round with trays of hot drinks and fruit to eat.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think we had around 300 people who came in from the race, and then in the hotel yesterday I had 100 clients, so it was very, very full,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The riders stood wherever they could &#8211; at the bar, in the lounges, even on the stairs. We went round with some things for them to get dry and get warm, and some food and drinks as well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What stood out, he said, was the way that some of the world\u2019s top athletes conducted themselves in and among the general public.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The atmosphere was great. At first, the riders seemed a bit lost, a bit panicked. But it soon became more relaxed, and in the end the atmosphere was very, very nice, very convivial.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;What struck me most of all was the way they interacted with our clients, especially the children who were in the hotel for their holidays. They were taking selfies, signing autographs, and speaking with the kids. The riders were so sweet.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The riders were very polite, very grateful, and very clean &#8211; they tidied everything away. They greeted us, they shook our hands as they left, and we\u2019ve had a lot of messages on Instagram thanking us for the welcome and the service.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And of course we have had some good reviews on Google,&#8221; Villeneuve added with a chuckle.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\u201cIt was a surprise, that\u2019s for sure, and you have to take a step back to realise what\u2019s happening, but we were really pleased to see those reviews.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The hotel was also visited by representatives from the race organisation who extended their gratitude, and Villeneuve says that he\u2019s expecting another visit from them tomorrow. He doesn&#8217;t know what to expect but is not interested in any sort of financial contribution from the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;No, not at all. We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We are very happy and very proud to have been of service. It\u2019s a special emotion. We have been useful \u2013 useful to people and useful to the race.\u201d<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And so it was that, amid the cut and thrust of an elite sporting environment, the humility and humanity of a humble hotel won the day.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-DcbiBAojs_n\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=\"6\">\n<p>A post shared by L&#8217;\u00c9quipe (@lequipe)<\/p><figcaption><cite><\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by on <\/p>\n<p><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"elk-Dcbk1jxjX9M\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=\"6\">\n<p>A post shared by ElDesmarque (@eldesmarque)<\/p><figcaption><cite><\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by on <\/p>\n<p><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"kiosq-app-paywall-js\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"this-will-be-used-for-mpu-2\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-cF47fd4Cc84TUmmDDnFEsE\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-cF47fd4Cc84TUmmDDnFEsE slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" alt=\"Patrick Fletcher\" class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Patrick Fletcher<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Deputy Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Patrick is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor\u2019s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish) and a decade\u2019s experience in digital sports media, largely within the world of cycling. He re-joined Cyclingnews as Deputy Editor in February 2026, having previously spent eight years on staff between 2015 and 2023. In between, he was Deputy Editor at GCN and spent 18 months working across the sports portfolio at Future before returning to the cycling press pack. Patrick works across Cyclingnews\u2019 wide-ranging output, assisting the Editor in global content strategy, with a particular focus on shaping CN&#8217;s news operation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-(--truncate-height) sm:h-(--truncate-desktop-height) overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura rounded-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[var(--truncate-gradient-color,white)] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"infinite-container\" data-analytics-id=\"infinite-container\" data-component-name=\"SponsoredScroll\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"infinite-container\">\n<div class=\"infinite-trigger\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"ads\" id=\"ads-middle-1\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-ads widget-ads-middle-1 widget-ads-ads-middle-1 widget-no-data widget-ads-flexi_ads_middle1\">\n<div id=\"bdx_flexi_ads_middle1\" data-type=\"ads\" data-ads-type=\"bordeaux\" class=\"flexi_ads_middle1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar widget-empty-sidebar widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-top widget-empty-sidebar-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"follow-us-on-google-news\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-follow-us-on-google-news widget-contentparsed-follow-us-on-google-news widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-curated \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-top widget-empty-sidebar-popular-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vt44cujKFT8tiR8C2cjBsV.jpg\" alt=\"FONT-ROMEU, FRANCE - AUGUST 24: Milan Vader of Netherlands and Team Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling reacts after the cancellation of the stage due to a hailstorm during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 3 a 174km from Gruissan - Aude to Font Romeu 1941m \/ The stage is cancelled due to extreme weather conditions \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 24, 2026 in Font Romeu, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] popular-box__article-list__image image__image\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>A rare full cancellation, Ethan Hayter&#8217;s lost points, historical precedent \u2013\u00a0How the UCI rulebook was applied on the annulled stage 3 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure&#8217; \u2013 Hotel owner blown away by riders and five-star reviews after giving shelter to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton amid hailstorm<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 4 LIVE: Racing resumes with a short but brutal day in the mountains in Andorra<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;The first thing I told the riders was \u2013 find shelter!&#8217; \u2013 How one team lived through the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a hailstorm and stage cancellation drama<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a Tech Gallery: A prototype Dura-Ace groupset, a new saddle for Tadej Poga\u010dar, and a special custom bike<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-bottom\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-bottom widget-empty-sidebar-popular-bottom ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<div id=\"kiosq-metered-message\" class=\"kiosq-metered-message-content\"><\/div>\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure&#8217; \u2013 Hotel owner blown away by riders and five-star reviews after giving shelter to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton amid hailstorm<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-25T12:05:41Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;We opened the doors for them all to come in and shelter. There was no hesitation&#8217; hotel manager tells Cyclingnews<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ggdNJG7s46eMjQQASGdcgQ.jpg\" alt=\"FONT-ROMEU, FRANCE - AUGUST 24: General view of the atmosphere after the cancellation of the stage due to a hailstorm during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 3 a 174km from Gruissan - Aude to Font Romeu 1941m \/ The stage is cancelled due to extreme weather conditions \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 24, 2026 in Font Romeu, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block-image-ads hero-image absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full object-center\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"> <span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Riders pile in to the IGESA Village Club hotel during stage 3<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>    <span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-484b11f8-a079-11f1-8a10-d10cf1454967\">Professional cycling is a funny old sport, where the star of the show on a stage of one of the biggest races in the world might not be a rider, or a team, but a hotel \u2013 and at that, a humble one-star establishment that, following stage 3 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, has been inundated with five-star reviews.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p>In a dramatic turn of events towards the end of Monday\u2019s stage, a huge hailstorm battered the race and led to race leader Tadej Poga\u010dar leading a peloton off the race route and down towards the only building in sight, the IGESA Village Club in Les Sorbiers in the French Pyrenees.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-484b11f8-a079-11f1-8a10-d10cf1454967-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After hugging the sides of the building to escape the icy pelting from the skies, the doors were soon opened, and the riders were invited in, where they were able to shelter properly and get warm. The hotel has since gone viral in its own way, with a number of riders and teams showing their gratitude amid a wave of new five-star reviews for the establishment on Google.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-mobile\"><\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full\" data-jwp-carousel-player-host><\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\u201cIncredibly kind and helpful staff!\u201d wrote the US pro Will Barta, while the Picnic-PostNL team added: Warm and welcoming reception area with friendly staff and a nice place to be able to shelter from any inclement weather in the area.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-2\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There were plenty more reviews in the names of riders that looked to be spoofs, but there have been hundreds of five-star reviews in the past 24 hours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em>Cyclingnews<\/em> put in a phone call to reception on Tuesday morning, and the general manager Guillaume Villeneuve was on hand to talk us through one of the most unusual days he has seen at the IGESA Village Club.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Myself and the staff were on the side of the road ready to cheer on the riders,&#8221; he explained. \u201cIn actual fact we all got back at the same time \u2013 us and the riders.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-cF47fd4Cc84TUmmDDnFEsE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-cF47fd4Cc84TUmmDDnFEsE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We opened the doors for them all to come in and shelter. There was no hesitation, it was an easy decision to make. It\u2019s normal, it\u2019s our job. It\u2019s normal and logical that we welcome everyone in, so that they can be safe from the storm.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-0451a4ca-a07a-11f1-bb54-c7ad24f38821\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-special-atmosphere-inside-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A special atmosphere inside<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-7d44c818-a07e-11f1-b0a9-f9a52a77636c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ixVquGH2zoFfZFSdSyg3L.jpg\" alt=\"FONT-ROMEU, FRANCE - AUGUST 24: (L-R) Jarno Widar of Belgium and Reuben Thompson of New Zealand and Team Lotto Intermarche react after the cancellation of the stage due to a hailstorm during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 3 a 174km from Gruissan - Aude to Font Romeu 1941m \/ The stage is cancelled due to extreme weather conditions \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 24, 2026 in Font Romeu, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 riders Jarno Widar and Reuben Thompson shelter from the elements <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-0451a54c-a07a-11f1-a042-99059178aaef\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The images that have emerged from inside the hotel are striking. Riders, in one shot, can be seen lining the staircase as they wait for the storm to pass and for their team buses to collect them following the news of the stage\u2019s cancellation.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Villeneuve\u2019s team quickly sprang into action, handing out towels to the riders before going round with trays of hot drinks and fruit to eat.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think we had around 300 people who came in from the race, and then in the hotel yesterday I had 100 clients, so it was very, very full,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The riders stood wherever they could &#8211; at the bar, in the lounges, even on the stairs. We went round with some things for them to get dry and get warm, and some food and drinks as well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What stood out, he said, was the way that some of the world\u2019s top athletes conducted themselves in and among the general public.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The atmosphere was great. At first, the riders seemed a bit lost, a bit panicked. But it soon became more relaxed, and in the end the atmosphere was very, very nice, very convivial.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;What struck me most of all was the way they interacted with our clients, especially the children who were in the hotel for their holidays. They were taking selfies, signing autographs, and speaking with the kids. The riders were so sweet.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The riders were very polite, very grateful, and very clean &#8211; they tidied everything away. They greeted us, they shook our hands as they left, and we\u2019ve had a lot of messages on Instagram thanking us for the welcome and the service.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And of course we have had some good reviews on Google,&#8221; Villeneuve added with a chuckle.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\u201cIt was a surprise, that\u2019s for sure, and you have to take a step back to realise what\u2019s happening, but we were really pleased to see those reviews.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The hotel was also visited by representatives from the race organisation who extended their gratitude, and Villeneuve says that he\u2019s expecting another visit from them tomorrow. He doesn&#8217;t know what to expect but is not interested in any sort of financial contribution from the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;No, not at all. We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We are very happy and very proud to have been of service. It\u2019s a special emotion. We have been useful \u2013 useful to people and useful to the race.\u201d<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And so it was that, amid the cut and thrust of an elite sporting environment, the humility and humanity of a humble hotel won the day.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-DcbiBAojs_n\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=\"6\">\n<p>A post shared by L&#8217;\u00c9quipe (@lequipe)<\/p><figcaption><cite><\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by on <\/p>\n<p><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"elk-Dcbk1jxjX9M\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=\"6\">\n<p>A post shared by ElDesmarque (@eldesmarque)<\/p><figcaption><cite><\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by on <\/p>\n<p><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"kiosq-app-paywall-js\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"this-will-be-used-for-mpu-2\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-cF47fd4Cc84TUmmDDnFEsE\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-cF47fd4Cc84TUmmDDnFEsE slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" alt=\"Patrick Fletcher\" class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Patrick Fletcher<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Deputy Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Patrick is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor\u2019s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish) and a decade\u2019s experience in digital sports media, largely within the world of cycling. He re-joined Cyclingnews as Deputy Editor in February 2026, having previously spent eight years on staff between 2015 and 2023. In between, he was Deputy Editor at GCN and spent 18 months working across the sports portfolio at Future before returning to the cycling press pack. Patrick works across Cyclingnews\u2019 wide-ranging output, assisting the Editor in global content strategy, with a particular focus on shaping CN&#8217;s news operation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-(--truncate-height) sm:h-(--truncate-desktop-height) overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura rounded-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[var(--truncate-gradient-color,white)] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"infinite-container\" data-analytics-id=\"infinite-container\" data-component-name=\"SponsoredScroll\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"infinite-container\">\n<div class=\"infinite-trigger\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"ads\" id=\"ads-middle-1\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-ads widget-ads-middle-1 widget-ads-ads-middle-1 widget-no-data widget-ads-flexi_ads_middle1\">\n<div id=\"bdx_flexi_ads_middle1\" data-type=\"ads\" data-ads-type=\"bordeaux\" class=\"flexi_ads_middle1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar widget-empty-sidebar widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-top widget-empty-sidebar-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"follow-us-on-google-news\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-follow-us-on-google-news widget-contentparsed-follow-us-on-google-news widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-curated \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-top widget-empty-sidebar-popular-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vt44cujKFT8tiR8C2cjBsV.jpg\" alt=\"FONT-ROMEU, FRANCE - AUGUST 24: Milan Vader of Netherlands and Team Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling reacts after the cancellation of the stage due to a hailstorm during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 3 a 174km from Gruissan - Aude to Font Romeu 1941m \/ The stage is cancelled due to extreme weather conditions \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 24, 2026 in Font Romeu, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] popular-box__article-list__image image__image\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>A rare full cancellation, Ethan Hayter&#8217;s lost points, historical precedent \u2013\u00a0How the UCI rulebook was applied on the annulled stage 3 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure&#8217; \u2013 Hotel owner blown away by riders and five-star reviews after giving shelter to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton amid hailstorm<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 4 LIVE: Racing resumes with a short but brutal day in the mountains in Andorra<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;The first thing I told the riders was \u2013 find shelter!&#8217; \u2013 How one team lived through the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a hailstorm and stage cancellation drama<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a Tech Gallery: A prototype Dura-Ace groupset, a new saddle for Tadej Poga\u010dar, and a special custom bike<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-bottom\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-bottom widget-empty-sidebar-popular-bottom ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<div id=\"kiosq-metered-message\" class=\"kiosq-metered-message-content\"><\/div>\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure&#8217; \u2013 Hotel owner blown away by riders and five-star reviews after giving shelter to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton amid hailstorm<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-25T12:05:41Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;We opened the doors for them all to come in and shelter. There was no hesitation&#8217; hotel manager tells Cyclingnews<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>    <span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-484b11f8-a079-11f1-8a10-d10cf1454967\">Professional cycling is a funny old sport, where the star of the show on a stage of one of the biggest races in the world might not be a rider, or a team, but a hotel \u2013 and at that, a humble one-star establishment that, following stage 3 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, has been inundated with five-star reviews.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p>In a dramatic turn of events towards the end of Monday\u2019s stage, a huge hailstorm battered the race and led to race leader Tadej Poga\u010dar leading a peloton off the race route and down towards the only building in sight, the IGESA Village Club in Les Sorbiers in the French Pyrenees.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-484b11f8-a079-11f1-8a10-d10cf1454967-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After hugging the sides of the building to escape the icy pelting from the skies, the doors were soon opened, and the riders were invited in, where they were able to shelter properly and get warm. The hotel has since gone viral in its own way, with a number of riders and teams showing their gratitude amid a wave of new five-star reviews for the establishment on Google.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-mobile\"><\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full\" data-jwp-carousel-player-host><\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\u201cIncredibly kind and helpful staff!\u201d wrote the US pro Will Barta, while the Picnic-PostNL team added: Warm and welcoming reception area with friendly staff and a nice place to be able to shelter from any inclement weather in the area.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-unit-2\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There were plenty more reviews in the names of riders that looked to be spoofs, but there have been hundreds of five-star reviews in the past 24 hours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em>Cyclingnews<\/em> put in a phone call to reception on Tuesday morning, and the general manager Guillaume Villeneuve was on hand to talk us through one of the most unusual days he has seen at the IGESA Village Club.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Myself and the staff were on the side of the road ready to cheer on the riders,&#8221; he explained. \u201cIn actual fact we all got back at the same time \u2013 us and the riders.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-cF47fd4Cc84TUmmDDnFEsE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-cF47fd4Cc84TUmmDDnFEsE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We opened the doors for them all to come in and shelter. There was no hesitation, it was an easy decision to make. It\u2019s normal, it\u2019s our job. It\u2019s normal and logical that we welcome everyone in, so that they can be safe from the storm.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-0451a4ca-a07a-11f1-bb54-c7ad24f38821\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-special-atmosphere-inside-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A special atmosphere inside<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-7d44c818-a07e-11f1-b0a9-f9a52a77636c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ixVquGH2zoFfZFSdSyg3L.jpg\" alt=\"FONT-ROMEU, FRANCE - AUGUST 24: (L-R) Jarno Widar of Belgium and Reuben Thompson of New Zealand and Team Lotto Intermarche react after the cancellation of the stage due to a hailstorm during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 3 a 174km from Gruissan - Aude to Font Romeu 1941m \/ The stage is cancelled due to extreme weather conditions \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 24, 2026 in Font Romeu, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 riders Jarno Widar and Reuben Thompson shelter from the elements <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-0451a54c-a07a-11f1-a042-99059178aaef\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The images that have emerged from inside the hotel are striking. Riders, in one shot, can be seen lining the staircase as they wait for the storm to pass and for their team buses to collect them following the news of the stage\u2019s cancellation.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Villeneuve\u2019s team quickly sprang into action, handing out towels to the riders before going round with trays of hot drinks and fruit to eat.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think we had around 300 people who came in from the race, and then in the hotel yesterday I had 100 clients, so it was very, very full,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The riders stood wherever they could &#8211; at the bar, in the lounges, even on the stairs. We went round with some things for them to get dry and get warm, and some food and drinks as well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What stood out, he said, was the way that some of the world\u2019s top athletes conducted themselves in and among the general public.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The atmosphere was great. At first, the riders seemed a bit lost, a bit panicked. But it soon became more relaxed, and in the end the atmosphere was very, very nice, very convivial.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;What struck me most of all was the way they interacted with our clients, especially the children who were in the hotel for their holidays. They were taking selfies, signing autographs, and speaking with the kids. The riders were so sweet.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The riders were very polite, very grateful, and very clean &#8211; they tidied everything away. They greeted us, they shook our hands as they left, and we\u2019ve had a lot of messages on Instagram thanking us for the welcome and the service.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And of course we have had some good reviews on Google,&#8221; Villeneuve added with a chuckle.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\u201cIt was a surprise, that\u2019s for sure, and you have to take a step back to realise what\u2019s happening, but we were really pleased to see those reviews.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The hotel was also visited by representatives from the race organisation who extended their gratitude, and Villeneuve says that he\u2019s expecting another visit from them tomorrow. He doesn&#8217;t know what to expect but is not interested in any sort of financial contribution from the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;No, not at all. We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We are very happy and very proud to have been of service. It\u2019s a special emotion. We have been useful \u2013 useful to people and useful to the race.\u201d<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And so it was that, amid the cut and thrust of an elite sporting environment, the humility and humanity of a humble hotel won the day.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-DcbiBAojs_n\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=\"6\">\n<p>A post shared by L&#8217;\u00c9quipe (@lequipe)<\/p><figcaption><cite><\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by on <\/p>\n<p><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"elk-Dcbk1jxjX9M\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<div class=\"instagram-embed\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=\"6\">\n<p>A post shared by ElDesmarque (@eldesmarque)<\/p><figcaption><cite><\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by on <\/p>\n<p><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/we-did-it-with-our-heart-and-with-a-lot-of-pleasure-hotel-owner-blown-away-by-riders-and-five-star-reviews-after-giving-shelter-to-vuelta-a-espana-peloton-amid-hailstorm\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ggdNJG7s46eMjQQASGdcgQ-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Racing Road Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a &#8216;We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure&#8217; \u2013 Hotel owner blown away by riders and five-star reviews after giving shelter to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton amid hailstorm News By Patrick Fletcher Published 25 August 2026 &#8216;We opened the doors for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2110639","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2110639","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2110639"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2110639\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2110639"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2110639"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2110639"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}