The Pogačar water bottle dispute overshadowed a dramatic Vuelta a España finale on Thursday, after Tadej Pogačar said officials denied him water inside the final 15km.
The race leader survived a dangerous descent, regrouped with Enric Mas, and then won a two-rider sprint. Yet he reached the finish still frustrated by events during the closing phase of a brutally hot stage.
Pogačar said he asked for a bottle with about 15km remaining, but received no response from the commissaire or organisation car. He said racing without water in such conditions during the final 15 to 20 minutes was especially difficult.
The stage unfolded in severe conditions, with temperatures rising to 34°C, gusting winds, and heavy humidity. The peloton also faced dusty, exposed gravel roads on the upper section of the final climb.
Pogačar water bottle issue tied to late feed cutoff
The UCI race jury had confirmed on Wednesday evening that the feed zone would close with 20km remaining on Thursday’s stage.
That decision effectively ended feeding as Pogačar and the peloton left the final climb. About 20km remained across the descent and the road to the finish.
Pogačar was seen taking a final bottle near the base of the climb. He poured water over his head before starting the steep gravel ascent.
There was speculation that dehydration or a hunger flat might have contributed when Mas closed him down near the summit. Pogačar did not identify either issue as a factor after the stage.
UAE Emirates-XRG sport manager Joxean Fernández Matxín also said at the finish that he heard nothing during the stage from Pogačar suggesting a bonk or hydration crisis.
Mas surprise adds to summit confusion
Pogačar instead pointed to confusion over time gaps as a decisive detail. He said he did not know Mas was coming across to him near the top.
He understood that a favourites group was 40 to 50 seconds behind. That information left him focused on simply reaching the summit of the climb.
Pogačar also said he did not know the climb very well. UAE officials confirmed that he had not reconned it before the race.
Mas then surged up to him close to the top of the gravel section. Pogačar said the move initially left him wondering whether a spectator had gone past.
He quickly realised Mas had read the climb well and produced a strong effort. From that point, Pogačar said he focused immediately on the Spanish rider.
Near crash on steep descent
The danger continued after the summit on the narrow descent of Puerto El Bartolo. Pogačar veered off course but somehow kept the bike upright.
He scrambled back onto the road without losing control. The incident could have ended his challenge for overall victory at the Vuelta.
Pogačar described the descent as very steep and dangerous. He said warnings cannot fully explain the risk until a rider reaches the road.
He also said the downhill did not allow riders to take clean racing lines. The safest option was to brake as much as possible.
Mas made a small error on the descent, and Pogačar moved past him. Pogačar then tried to ride his own lines but admitted that decision became a mistake.
After the scare, Pogačar and Mas came back together and rode to the finish. Pogačar won the stage, while Mas moved into second overall, 3:34 behind.
The late feeding row added another flashpoint to an already tense finale. It also highlighted how race rules, extreme heat, and difficult terrain can collide in decisive Grand Tour moments.
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