Sport Europe

Wildfires Force Tour de France to Cut Final Stage

The Tour de France was forced to shorten its final stage from 133km to 89km after French authorities redeployed security personnel to fight the wildfires raging near Bordeaux.

Tadej Pogačar safely navigated the penultimate stage to put himself on the brink of a record-equalling fifth Tour title.

Ecuador's Richard Carapaz won the 20th stage on Alpe d'Huez after Sepp Kuss crashed twice in the closing kilometres.

The race disruption underscored the severity of the wildfire crisis gripping southwestern France.

Pogačar on the cusp of Tour history after dramatic penultimate stage ABC News — Jul 25, 21:14 PM
France reducing length of the Tour de France’s last stage on Sunday to divert officers to wildfires. ABC News — Jul 25, 19:21 PM
Pogacar set to equal Tour record as Carapaz wins stage Yahoo Sports — Jul 25, 17:11 PM
Tour de France final stage shortened due to wildfires RTE — Jul 25, 14:34 PM
'We gambled it all on the third week' - Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at Tour de France Cyclingnews — Jul 25, 18:31 PM
Pogacar closes in on Tour de France victory, Carapaz wins Queen stage France 24 — Jul 25, 15:10 PM
'Not easy to finish on the podium being ill' - Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles Cyclingnews — Jul 25, 19:55 PM
'I'm impatient to get there' – Tadej Pogačar closes in on fifth overall victory in Tour de France after successful yellow jersey defence on Alpe d'Huez Cyclingnews — Jul 25, 16:48 PM
Ecuadorian Carapaz wins 20th stage of Tour de France The Straits Times — Jul 25, 15:28 PM
Pogacar set to equal Tour record as Carapaz wins stage BBC Sport — Jul 25, 16:25 PM
Tour de France final stage rerouted as wildfires limit emergency service capabilities The New York Times — Jul 25, 14:08 PM
Tour de France star suffers gruesome injury with 20 stitches needed after crashing into car Mirror — Jul 25, 16:32 PM

Tour de France
Multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in France

Tadej Pogačar
Slovenian cyclist (born 1998)

Richard Carapaz
Ecuadorian bicycle racer

Bordeaux
City and commune in Gironde, New Aquitaine, France

Alpe d'Huez
Ski resort in France