The final stage of the 2026 Tour de France has cut from 133km to 89km as France’s internal security forces have been redeployed to fight wildfires, the race organisers ASO revealed yesterday.
In a press release, ASO said: “As numerous wildfires are currently affecting France, particularly the Gironde region, emergency services are fully mobilized to combat the blazes, while internal security forces are working to secure the affected areas and protect the population.
“In light of this, the Ministry of Interior has decided to redeploy a portion of the internal security forces initially mobilized to ensure security for the final stage of the Tour de France, in order to reinforce the response efforts in the areas affected by the wildfires.”
Stage 21 was originally due to start in Thoiry, roughly 50km outside of Paris, before the peloton rode to the French capital to the final circuit.
But after the team presentation in Thoiry, the peloton will now travel directly to the circuit by bus, and the official start will be given at the later time of 17:40 CEST (16:40 BST).
The peloton will now ride an additional two laps of the Montmartre circuit taking the total to five. The Montmartre climb first appeared at last year’s Tour de France following its inclusion in the 2024 Paris Olympics road race.
The finish on the Champs-Èlysèes is scheduled for 19:45 CEST (18:45 BST).
The Tour de France caravan will depart from Thoiry at 13:20 CEST (12:20 BST) before heading directly to Paris.
This year’s edition of the Tour de France saw sweltering temperatures, with the race organisers and teams taking extra measures to protect riders and the public.
Fans were told to avoid the final section of stage 3 as it crossed into France due to wildfires, and the UCI later relaxed its feeding rules to ensure riders stayed hydrated.
Stage 9 was shortened due to extreme heat, which led race leader Tadej Pogačar to propose an overhaul to the professional cycling calendar.
