Important stage race in February full of doubt: "Right now we're just shoveling mud"

The images of the natural disaster in Spain left a big impression. The latest figures confirmed that more than 200 people died in Valencia province due to heavy rainfall and flooding. "This low-pressure area is more common in Spain, but never before has a DANA caused so much precipitation. Climate change has ensured that, on average, more rain falls from a DANA than in the past," said KNMI.

The consequences for the Spanish region are significant. In addition to the many deaths and injuries, the entire area has been devastated. Insignificant in the enormity of the disaster, the Tour of Valencia is also at risk. Race director Ángel Casero told AS that the organization's warehouse was flooded last weekend. "We have been shoveling mud out of the warehouse for nine days. 95 percent of the equipment inside was destroyed."

The Tour of Valencia is scheduled from February 5 to 9, but a course presentation in December has already been canceled. 'We will have to wait all of November to see how things are progressing. Right now, we are just shoveling mud, and there is no end to it.'"Among the ruined materials are tents, bouncy castles, merchandising, shirts, polos, T-shirts, crew uniforms, volunteer vests, medications, first aid kits, and toolboxes."

The stage race in eastern Spain is traditionally one of the first tests of strength between some strong stage riders. In 2024, Brandon McNulty won the GC, ahead of Santiago Buitrago and Aleksandr Vlasov. Tadej Pogacar won in 2020, and Remco Evenepoel was second in 2022.