Tour de France final stage shortened by a third due to southwestern wildfires
The Tour de France's final stage on Sunday was shortened from 82.5 miles to 55 miles, with organizers redirecting police and security resources to wildfire response efforts in southwestern France. More than 250,000 people in southern Europe have been displaced by fires this week.
The Tour de France's final stage on Sunday was shortened by one-third, from 82.5 miles to 55 miles, according to an announcement by the Paris police department and Tour de France organization on Saturday. The change redirects police and security resources to wildfire-fighting efforts in southwestern France.
Per the announcement, part of the security deployment originally planned for the 21st and final stage will be redirected to reinforce response efforts in wildfire-affected areas. The original route started west of Paris in Thoiry; the shortened route will race inside Paris on a circuit, according to the announcement.
Wildfires in southern Europe this week have displaced more than 250,000 people, including approximately 70,000 evacuated in central Spain, according to ESPN's reporting. One fire was located about 20 miles west of Bordeaux and had lost intensity overnight, per French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, though winds were expected to shift west-to-east Saturday afternoon, potentially driving fire closer to the city. Fire crews were using retardants, digging trenches, and taking other steps to block the fire's advance.
Tadej Pogacar moved within striking distance of a record-equaling fifth Tour de France title after finishing safely in the penultimate stage Saturday, per ESPN reporting. The brief does not clarify whether the final stage shortening affected any rider's ability to contest his lead or materially altered the race outcome.
The Tour de France final stage was cut from 82.5 miles to 55 miles to divert police resources to wildfire-fighting efforts in southwestern France, where more than 250,000 people have been displaced.
A major international cycling event was materially altered in service of public emergency response, a decision that reflects both the scale of the wildfire crisis and the organizers' commitment to support regional authorities. The compressed final stage will conclude the race as scheduled, with Pogacar poised to cap his Tour run regardless of Sunday's route length.
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