Wildfires in the south of France are spurring some changes for the third stage of the Tour de France, organizers confirmed on Sunday.
The route, set to conclude within 60 kilometers of some of the worst of the fires in Les Angles, is not expected to shift.
Instead, officials have directed fans and unessential personnel to stay away from the final 40 kilometers of the journey.
“An exceptional fire calls for exceptional measures for the Tour,” race director Christian Prudhomme said. “We invite the public not to come to the edge of the race or to the finish site.”
Europe has been dealing with extreme heat and wildfires for weeks now. The current blaze affecting race procedure is being contained within the Pyrenees-Orientales, where aircraft have been deployed to battle the blaze.
A key stretch of the mountain pass providing access to the race will be closed.
“We obviously think first of all of the populations who are affected by the fire, of all those who have to move, and then we also think about the people who would be here to host the Tour.”
Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark leads the Tour de France through the first two stages.
–Field Level Media
