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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
National
RFI

Heatwave forces Tour de France to shorten stage for first time

Cyclists douse themselves with water to cool down during the third stage of the Tour de France between Spain and France on 6 July 2026.
Cyclists douse themselves with water to cool down during the third stage of the Tour de France between Spain and France on 6 July 2026. © Loic VENANCE / AFP

Tour de France organisers have shortened Sunday's stage by 30km due to extreme heat, the first time in the history of the cycling race that high temperatures have forced a change to the route.

Riders will be spared a hilly loop at the beginning of the stage due to a red alert in the central Corrèze region, one of 37 French departments placed on the national weather service's maximum warning for dangerous heat.

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