Organizers and police said Saturday that Sunday’s final stage of the Tour de France will be shorter than planned because security forces have been redirected to help fight a wildfire near Bordeaux.
“In the spirit of national solidarity with the affected areas and communities, it was decided to adapt the route from Thoiry to Paris for the final stage,” Paris police and event organizers said in a joint statement.
Slovenian four-time champion Tadej Pogacar is almost guaranteed victory in the world famous cycling race and needs only to finish Saturday’s stage to clinch a fifth Tour title in seven years.
Final stage shortened to 89 kilometers
The route for Phase 21 has been reduced from the originally planned 133 kilometers to 89 kilometers (55 mi).
It was scheduled to start at Thoiry, east of Paris, but will now begin with two laps on the Champs-Élysées.
The riders will, as usual, race around the circuit before finishing on the Champs-Élysées.
The team presentation will still be held in Thoiry before the riders are taken to Paris by bus.
“The Paris Police Prefect and the director of the Tour de France salute the commitment of all the artists engaged in the fight against the fire and express their full solidarity with the affected population,” the statement said.
Wildfires near Arcachon Bay, near Bordeaux in the Gironde and around Biscarosse in the Landes have destroyed more than 36,000 hectares of forest and forced about 200,000 people to flee.
Edited by: Rana Taha
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