The final stage of the Tour de France has been shortened due to wildfires in France, impacting the anticipated victory ride for Tadej Pogacar. The stage, originally planned for 133 km, will now cover 89 km and will commence on the Champs-Élysées, featuring two laps of the avenue followed by circuits of the Butte Montmartre.
Organisers, in a joint statement with the prefecture police, indicated that the Ministry of the Interior decided to reallocate internal security forces. These forces were initially assigned to the final stage of the Tour de France but are now reinforcing efforts in areas affected by wildfires.
Wildfires impact and stage 20 drama
Wildfires near the Arcachon lagoon and around Biscarrosse have destroyed a significant area of forest. This marks the third occasion in this year’s race that a stage has been subject to prefecture intervention due to either wildfires or a heatwave.
Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) secured his second stage win in three days on Saturday’s 20th stage, conquering Alpe d’Huez. He also solidified his lead in the King of the Mountains classification. Carapaz took advantage of two falls by Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) to claim the victory.
Pogacar, who extended his overall lead with a record time on Alpe d’Huez on Friday, conceded 39 seconds to Remco Evenepoel on Saturday. Despite this, he will begin Sunday’s shortened stage with a lead of six minutes and 26 seconds.
The 20th stage saw Carapaz attack on the first climb, the Col de la Croix de Fer, aiming to consolidate his lead in the mountains classification. He was also the first rider over the race’s highest point, claiming the Souvenir Henri Desgranges.
Safety concerns and team efforts
Friday’s chaotic climb on Alpe d’Huez raised significant safety concerns due to spectator behaviour. Incidents included in-race motorbikes being blocked by crowds, which stalled an attack from Evenepoel. A lack of crowd control also led to Einer Rubio (Movistar) abandoning the race after colliding with a UAE Team Emirates car, resulting in facial injuries requiring 20 stitches.
The race director, Thierry Gouvenou, commented on the incident, suggesting that older car models might have prevented the accident. Spectators were also seen wrestling over gifts and climbing on moving race vehicles, further highlighting the safety issues.
Klaas Lodewyck, sports director for Evenepoel’s Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe team, expressed concern over spectators punching side mirrors and banging on windows, stating it crossed a line.
Pogacar, with his yellow jersey effectively secured, focused on supporting his teammate, Isaac del Toro, who is in third place overall. Pogacar rode as a domestique to ensure Del Toro maintained his position for the white jersey of best young rider and a podium finish.
The final mountain stage also saw Ilan Van Wilder crash out after falling on the descent of the Croix de Fer. Additionally, a dispute between Carapaz and French climber Lenny Martinez continued into Saturday morning, stemming from an incident on Friday’s final corner.
Evenepoel secured second place on stage 20. Pogacar chose to cross the finish line with Del Toro, with a fifth Tour de France title awaiting him after the final stage.
The final stage on Sunday will be shortened to 89 km.
Source: theguardian.com
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