In Corregidor de Córdoba avenue, where the finish line in Córdoba of the 12th stage of La Vuelta was located, a thermometer exceeded 40 degrees. And there came an exhausted squad, which had endured not only a demanding profile in its last part, but also a tremendous heat throughout the day. “You need water all the time, to drink and to refresh yourself, it is the only way to maintain a suitable temperature”commented Cort Nielsen, winner of the day, while the attendees put on a kind of ice vest to lower the temperature of the Danish runner.
The teams, between water and salts, prepare in a day like this Thursday up to 300 drums in refrigerators that keep them cold. For a formation of eight cyclists, the average is more than 37 per rider. During the day, mineral salts and maltodextrin are used, but as cyclists approach the last kilometers, they ask for more and more water. At each refreshment station, an ice sock is also added to the runner’s bag to relieve the cyclist. The assistants themselves do not differentiate between jerseys, they also supply thirsty rival riders in many cases. “All the assistants give you water, thanks to them this day becomes something more bearable”, said Óscar Cabedo at the finish line.
An even tougher day for those who are not used to it. “I come almost from the north pole”, commented the Norwegian Odd Christian Eiking, the red jersey of this Vuelta. However, that yesterday the highest temperatures of what has been in the race were recorded yesterday, it was hardly noticeable. “I clearly prefer the cold and I am waiting for us to reach the north of Spain. But if I have managed to acclimate well to this climate, it is because from the first day it has been very hot and we have been here for two weeks “. But the heat does not only affect those in the north. “It does not go down at any time,” said the Colombian Superman López. And his compatriot Bernal confirmed it: “The hottest day? It seems to me that every day is just as extreme ”.