Tour de France: 'Can't wait for a winter Tour!', 'With the kids, it's complicated,' spectators also suffer from heatwave on roadsides

The Tour de France, a spectacle usually defined by vibrant crowds and festive energy, is currently being overshadowed by a relentless heatwave. Spectators lining the routes are battling sweltering conditions, with temperatures soaring to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) by midday.

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The fishing is soft and it passes quickly.

Fans like Yves, an 80-year-old attendee from Coulounieix-Chamiers, are braving the heat to participate in the event. Despite having suffered two heart attacks, Yves remains committed to enjoying the Tour with his wife and daughter for four days. He notes the unusual intensity of this year's heat, comparing it to the struggles of local agriculture where crops are drying out regardless of watering.

Others are less fortunate. Danièle, 78, experienced a dizzy spell while sitting on the roadside, using an iced water bottle to cool her chest. The scene at Malemort, the departure point for the 9th stage, was one of determined festivity amidst discomfort. Spectators sought scarce shade, with even the barriers feeling hot to the touch. The caravan's giveaways, usually a highlight, were described by Yves as "soft fishing" and passing too quickly, perhaps a reflection of the energy sapped by the heat.

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The heat this year is crazy. On the Tour, as elsewhere. The fruits we planted are drying out, whether we water them or not.

The extreme weather has not only affected the fans but also the race itself. The 9th stage was shortened due to the high temperatures, altering the planned route and potentially dampening the celebratory mood that typically surrounds the event. This adjustment underscores the significant impact the heatwave is having on all aspects of the Tour de France.

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I have had two heart attacks, after all. The heat this year is crazy.