During the 15th stage of the Vuelta a España in Córdoba, riders faced extreme heat, leading to a decision by organizers to shorten the race route. Matthew Brennan, a rider for Visma-Lease a Bike, voiced significant concerns regarding the safety of competing in such conditions. Brennan reported that temperatures reached as high as 44°C during the initial climb, prompting him to question the necessity of continuing the race under those circumstances.

Brennan drew a comparison between the working conditions of professional cyclists and those of office workers, suggesting that the sport’s governing body, the UCI, would not tolerate similar temperatures in their own workplace. While the stage was successfully completed and won by Brennan’s teammate, Wout van Aert, the incident has reignited discussions regarding athlete welfare and the impact of climate conditions on professional cycling. The UCI has not yet issued a formal response to Brennan’s specific comments regarding their office temperature or the decision-making process behind the race schedule.