Tour de France: Stage 19 shortened at short notice due to animal epidemic

Fewer kilometres, fewer metres in altitude. The 19th stage will be significantly shortened at short notice, as race organiser A.S.O. announced late Thursday evening. The final Alpine stage will only measure 93.1 kilometres instead of the planned 129.9 kilometres. The stage will start as planned in Albertville, but one hour later at 14:30, and finish in La Plagne. The first part of the route, including the Col des Saisies, will be bypassed.

The reason: cattle had to be culled in the area due to an animal epidemic. "In view of the plight of the affected farmers and to ensure the smooth running of the race, it was decided in consultation with the relevant authorities to change the route of the 19th stage (Albertville-La Plagne) and avoid the climb to the Col des Saisies," the race organiser announced.

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According to press reports, the race organiser wanted to avoid the race being disrupted by expected protests from the farmers concerned. Shortly after leaving Albertville, the route now leads via the D925 to Beaufort, where it reaches the original route at kilometre 52. The rides over the first two categorised climbs, the Cote d'Héry-sur-Ugine (2nd category) and the Col des Saisies (1st category), will be dropped due to the new route. This will have an impact on the mountain classification. The intermediate sprint is on the new route after 12.1 kilometres in Villard-sur-Doron.