Tour de France final stage altered
The final stage of the Tour de France has been shortened and rerouted as emergency teams respond to wildfires in the southwest of France. The traditional stage in Paris, originally planned for 133km (82 miles), has been reduced to 89km (55 miles). Riders will now begin on the Champs-Elysees instead of Thoiry, located west of the French capital.
This change was deemed necessary because numerous security officers have been redeployed from Paris to assist with the ongoing wildfires. The revised route aims to reduce the security footprint required for local officials. The Amaury Sport Organisation, which organises the tour, stated that emergency services are fully mobilised to combat the blazes, particularly in the Gironde region, with internal security forces working to secure affected areas and protect the population.
The Ministry of the Interior made the decision to redeploy a portion of the internal security forces initially assigned to the Tour de France’s final stage. This measure is intended to reinforce response efforts in the areas impacted by the wildfires. More than 267,000 people have been displaced from their homes due to these fires in France and Spain. Bordeaux airport has been closed, and the French government has issued warnings against all road or rail travel to the affected region.
Race details and route changes
Despite the changes, the newly designed Stage 21 will still conclude along the renowned Champs-Elysees. Riders will complete two additional circuits of the road before proceeding to the Montmartre climb. The Montmartre circuit has gained popularity, having been used in the 2024 Paris Olympics and subsequently incorporated into the 2025 Tour de France. This area is known for accommodating large gatherings of fans, creating a festive atmosphere.
Earlier in the Tour de France, fans were advised to avoid the final 40km of Stage 3 due to wildfires and the need to deploy first responders to that area. The current race sees Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar poised to secure a record-equalling fifth Tour de France victory, having dominated the three-week event.
During the final stage, Pogacar was seen near the front, with Wellens pulling for him to set up an attack. Van der Poel was noted to be right on Pogacar’s wheel, creating a gap to Pedersen, while Evenepoel was losing ground. As the race progressed, Campenaerts was first onto the climb, with Fred Wright attacking the cobbles despite a broken hand. Quickstep and EF were driving the pace, and Cofidis worked at the front for the first time in three weeks.
With 18km to go, the peloton, slimmed down to 76 riders, was all together. Adam Yates took the bell, and Mads Pedersen aimed to be closer to the front at the foot of the climb. Decathlon was actively working to close the gap, aiming to support Olav Kooij’s sprint hopes. The gap between the leaders and the peloton fluctuated, reaching 20 seconds at one point. Mohoric was observed chasing with Healy and Stuyven, along with two riders from Visma, as the peloton trailed by 14 seconds.
The final kilometres saw intense action, with Van der Poel and Pogacar pushing hard. Pedersen was waiting to make a move, and Decathlon continued to apply pressure. The riders navigated the Champs cobbles, maintaining speeds of 54kph down Place de la Concorde. In the final kilometre, NSN Cycling was noted to be making a strong push up the hill to the finish line.
The race saw Pogacar fade as Van der Poel launched a powerful move. Despite this, the peloton closed in, making for a close finish. Philipsen celebrated his teammate’s effort, raising his arm to the sky even before his captain. The final stage concluded with significant efforts from various teams and riders.
Source: tntsports.co.uk