Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift race director Marion Rousse has said “several options” are being considered for a possible reroute of Friday’s seventh stage, which is due to finish on Mont Ventoux.
Ahead of this year's edition, the climb's local prefecture released a statement asking the race organiser, ASO, to plan for an alternative route due to the risk of wildfires in the region.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly in Lausanne on Saturday, Rousse said no changes are in place yet, but a decision will be made next Tuesday 4 August.
“We’re considering several options,” she said. “What’s certain is that we’re still going to go up Mont Ventoux – the riders are still going to climb it. However, we’re of course at the disposal of the prefecture who will take the decision, and will help with access if necessary.”
Asked for more information about the options, Rousse said: “That will be unveiled on 4 August. But it’s something we’ve already considered and will be put in place to help everyone.”
Rousse's comments came after the Vaucluse prefecture, which counts Mont Ventoux within its remit, released the following statement on Friday: “At a time when forest areas are at a peak risk of fire, the prefecture has asked the organisers of the Tour to consider an alternative route. Following a fire risk assessment on Tuesday 4 August, an alternative route will be implemented should the wildfire risk be considered extreme.”
Three stages of the men’s Tour de France were impacted last month as a result of extreme weather; stage nine was shortened by 30km due to a red weather warning, stage 21 was shortened by 44km due to wildfires, and on stage three, fans were urged not to go to the finish because of wildfires in the Pyrenees.
It is uncertain how the Queen stage of the Tour de France Femmes may be affected. When stages were shortened at the men’s race, kilometres were removed from the start, with the finales left as planned.
“We are in constant touch with the prefecture and we will adapt, just as the men’s Tour de France did,” Rousse said during a media meeting on Friday.
“The Tour de France is just a bike race. What’s happening in everyday life outside of it is more important.”
