Overview
- A violent hailstorm struck about 15–16 kilometres from the planned Font Romeu finish on Monday, leaving roads at roughly 1,600 metres white with golf‑ball‑size hail and stopping the third stage.
- Tadej Pogacar rode to the front, signalled the end of racing, and retained the red jersey after the race jury neutralised the field and then officially abandoned the stage with no winner or podium declared.
- Roughly 180 riders sought shelter in roadside cafes and the IGESA Village Club in Mont‑Louis, where staff handed out towels and hot drinks and the hotel subsequently received a surge of five‑star online reviews.
- The cancellation took away a likely stage‑win opportunity for breakaway riders and shifts competitive focus to Tuesday’s 104.8 km Andorra stage, which features more than 3,000 metres of climbing including the 2,403 m Port de Envalira.
- Organisers and teams stressed that safety drives such jury decisions in high mountains, so weather forecasts and conditions will be closely watched for the remaining high‑altitude stages and possible further neutralisations.