Vuelta a Espana stage 3 cancelled due to hailstorms

Stage 3 of the Vuelta a España has been abandoned with around 16km remaining due to a hailstorm.

Heavy rain began to pour with around 25km remaining on the category one Col de Mont-Louis, before conditions worsened with hailstones the size of golf balls lashing down. 

Riders from the red jersey group began to seek shelter on the side of the road, as Pogačar moved to the head of the race, signalling for the race to come to a halt. 

Riders and staff have now gathered together in a local building until the team buses, which were situated beyond the finish line, arrive where the riders stopped.

There will also be no podium ceremony as a result. 

"For the security of the riders, stage three has been cancelled due to hail and severe weather," read the Vuelta organisation's holding statement.

"We will send info regarding times and results ASAP."

It was the first Vuelta stage to be completely cancelled because of extreme weather since 1991, when heavy snowfall forced organisers to abandon a mountain stage from Andorra to Pla de Beret.

While the stage was cancelled, the riders will have another opportunity to make a difference in the GC on Tuesday, with a stage that features over 3,000m of elevation gain in just 104.9km to Andorra la Vella. 

More to follow…