The organizers of the Tour de France shortened the 19th stage, which was ridden on Thursday evening, from 129.9 kilometers to just 95 kilometers, and two categorized climbs have been removed from the route.
Today's stage would have included five categorized climbs, starting with Côte d'Héry-sur-Ugine (11.3 km with a 5.1% gradient) and Col des Saisies (13.7 km with a 6.4% gradient).
These two climbs will be omitted from the route due to an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis discovered in livestock in the Col des Saisies area, which has led to the culling of animals. "Considering the difficulties faced by local farmers and the desire to ensure the smooth running of the race, it has been decided in agreement with the relevant authorities to modify the route of the 19th stage and avoid the ascent to Col des Saisies," the organizers announced.
The race will still start from Albertville, followed by a seven-kilometer neutral section before the official start, which will bypass the first two climbs and rejoin the original route at kilometer 52.4.
This is not the first time a significant stage of the Tour has been shortened. In 2019, a stage also starting from Albertville was made even shorter. Following an avalanche, organizers were forced to stop the 19th stage at the summit of Col de l'Iseran, and ice and mudslides forced organizers to cancel more than half of the 20th stage, leaving only a 59-kilometer finish to the ascent to Val Thorens.
