Tour de France: 30 kilometers of the original route have been canceled—here’s why

The ninth stage of the 2026 Tour de France, which the cyclists will race on Sunday, is significantly shorter than originally planned. The organizers of the Grande Boucle have in fact made a substantial change to the route due to the scorching heat affecting Corrèze, a French department identified as a high-risk area by Météo‑France, the French national weather service.

The decision was confirmed prior to the stage in an official statement: the stage’s distance, initially set at 185.5 km, has been reduced to 155.5 km—30 kilometers shorter. This extraordinary measure was taken to protect the health of the riders and staff on a sweltering day.

For several days, forecasts had already indicated the possibility of temperatures reaching 36°C, a level considered critical for a race of the Tour’s duration and intensity. Hence the decision to adjust the route of the stage starting in Malemort and finishing in Ussel, scheduled for July 12, in accordance with the protocol followed in such cases.

The Tour’s press release explains the change in detail: after passing through Brive-la-Gaillarde, the race will depart from the original route to take the D921, rejoining the initial route near the town of Lanteuil, 147.8 km from the finish. This detour is designed to reduce the riders’ exposure to the hottest and least shaded areas.

Despite the shortened distance, the schedule remains unchanged: Even before the Tour began, the riders’ union had requested that the stages be moved up to avoid racing during the middle of the day, but the organization’s leadership explained that such a change was impossible given the massive logistical operation involved, including road closures and the deployment of security personnel.