109th Tour de France - Temperatures of 40 degrees: Tour extreme weather protocol takes effect

Due to the enormous heat, the extreme weather protocol of the Tour de France has come into force.

As the organisers announced on Sunday, three special regulations apply for the 15th stage from Rodez to Carcassonne in temperatures of 40 degrees. The riders are allowed to eat from the start until ten kilometres before the finish. Empty bottles may also be thrown away outside the rubbish zones when cycling fans are standing at the side of the road. In addition, the grace period has been set at 20 per cent of the stage winner's time, regardless of their average speed.

The south-west of France is experiencing extremely high temperatures at the weekend. The second-highest weather warning level, orange, has been declared in various départements.

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