Tour de France organisers announced on Saturday that the ninth stage of the race will be shortened by 30 kilometres due to the "intense heatwave" in the central Corrèze region. The decision was made after French weather authorities declared a "red alert due to an exceptionally intense heatwave" in Corrèze.
Red Alert Prompted Route Change
The route alteration reduces the stage from its originally planned distance to a shorter course, aiming to protect riders from extreme temperatures. The red alert, the highest level of weather warning in France, signals dangerous heat conditions that can pose health risks.
Previous Stage Saw Riders Struggle with Heat
During stage eight, riders were seen using ice packs to cool down, with Lenny Martinez of Bahrain Victorious cycling with ice stuffed in his jersey. The extreme heat has been a growing concern in professional cycling, leading to increased scrutiny of race conditions.
