Tour de France final stage shortened as wildfires stretch French security forces

PARIS – The final stage of the Tour de France on Sunday has been shortened after French authorities redeployed security personnel to help tackle wildfires near Bordeaux, race organisers and police said.

The traditional finale, which ends on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, will cover 89 kilometres instead of the originally scheduled 133 km.

The change follows a decision by the French Interior Ministry to divert part of the security force assigned to the race to support emergency operations in areas affected by the wildfires.

“In light of this, the Interior Ministry has decided to redeploy a portion of the internal security forces initially mobilised 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,” organisers said in a statement.

Despite the shortened route, the race will conclude as planned in Paris, where riders will complete the traditional laps of the Champs-Elysees.

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar headed into Saturday’s penultimate stage with a commanding overall lead as he closed in on a third consecutive Tour de France title and his fourth overall.