It not only rained cold drops but also abandons during the Vuelta a España's 14th stage today. Belkin Pro Cycling Team's Luis León Sánchez was part of a promising breakaway but signs of hypothermia forced him out. The harsh weather conditions were just too much for him and many others.

Daniele Ratto (Cannondale), one of Sánchez's initial breakaway companions, persisted and arrived solo at the top of the Collada de la Gallina to win the stage.

Cold and rain plagued the peloton during its ride towards Andorra. Sports Director Merijn Zeeman saw everything happen from the team car. "It was terrible; it rained right from the start," he said. "On the top of the climbs, it was just four degrees. The switch to this cold, after weeks of riding through the Spanish heat, was just too much for many riders."

Nightmare

Sánchez joined the escape with Graeme Brown and three others, including Ratto, about an hour into the stage. Their gap over the bunch was so big that Zeeman already started dreaming of a stage win. It all fell apart, however.

"We really thought Luis had a good chance. He made a strong impression and the lead was very large," Zeeman added. "Though, he just collapsed on his bike at some point. He just couldn't do anything anymore and had to abandon."

Gárate in the car

Juanma Gárate was so cold at one point that it looked as if he would have to abandon, too. Thanks to a remarkable helping hand, he was able to continue. "Juanma jumped in Erik Dekker's team car, which was sitting at the side of the road and had the heat going. He changed clothes, warmed up on the heated seat and continued," continued Zeeman. "The boys did everything they could."

Bath

Erik Dekker agreed with his fellow sports director. "Kudos to everyone. It would have been good to hit the Tacx trainers, but the boys are now taking a bath," Dekker explained. "They have earned it!"

More cold weather and rain is predicted for tomorrow's stage 15. However, the stage through the Pyrenees to Peyragudes in France is 224.9 kilometres – around 70 kilometres longer than today's run. Zeeman said, "If it's really going to be as cold as today, the race jury must do something."