Tour de France final stage shortened as emergency teams tackle wildfires
Summary
The last stage of the Tour de France was shortened and changed because emergency workers were needed to fight wildfires in southwest France. The race now starts in Paris and is shorter, with riders still finishing on the Champs-Elysees and including a climb in Montmartre.Key Facts
- The final stage was reduced from 133 km (82 miles) to 89 km (55 miles).
- Riders began on the Champs-Elysees instead of starting in Thoiry, west of Paris.
- Police and security officers were moved from the race to help fight wildfires in the Gironde region.
- More than 267,000 people were forced to leave their homes because of fires in France and Spain.
- Bordeaux airport closed, and travel to the fire areas was discouraged by the government.
- The Montmartre climb was included in the route, becoming popular since the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Earlier in the Tour, fans were advised to avoid part of stage 3 due to wildfire safety concerns.
- Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar is expected to win his fifth Tour de France title this year.
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