BORDEAUX (France), July 12 – The ninth stage of the Tour de France on Sunday is being shortened due to a heatwave, race organisers said in an unprecedented move, reported German news agency dpa.
A red heat alert level has been declared for the Corrèze department, through which the stage is due to pass.
As a result, the stage through the Massif Central will be shortened to 155.5 kilometres from the originally planned 185.5km, a statement said on Saturday.
Temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius are expected at the start in Malemort and 35 degrees at the finish in Ussel.
The stage is also demanding in terms of climbs.
