Tour de France shortens Sunday stage as heatwave triggers red alarm in France

Organisers of the Tour de France reduced the ninth stage on Sunday from 185.5 km to 155.5 km after the French meteorological service issued a red heat alert, warning that temperatures could exceed 40 °C in several departments, including Corrèze. The shortened route starts in Brive‑la‑Gaillarde and joins the original course near Lanteuil, cutting about 30 km and roughly 100 m of climbing.

The decision, taken with local authorities, civil‑protection services and medical teams, aims to protect riders and staff under extreme conditions. Riders have been coping with daily highs above 35 °C, using ice packs and large water supplies, and former champion Tadej Pogačar has called for a calendar shift to avoid the hottest months.