Tour de France stage shortened by 30km due to heatwave

The first week of the Tour de France will wrap up with a medium-mountain stage across the Massif Central, characterized by four categorized climbs and a route favoring a breakaway. The stage, originally 185.5 kilometers between Malemort and Ussel, has been shortened by 30 kilometers due to extreme heat. Temperatures in the Corrèze department are forecast to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, prompting a red alert for the region.

The revised 155.5-kilometer stage offers little flat terrain and features a total elevation gain of 3,300 meters. While the undulating roads provide opportunities for various race dynamics, they are unlikely to suit sprinters or general classification contenders. The four climbs, one fourth category, two third category, and one second category, are concentrated in the latter half of the stage.

These narrow roads and constant ascents and descents are expected to make it difficult for sprinters' teams to control the peloton. This scenario increases the likelihood of a successful breakaway, potentially marking the second stage win for a breakaway group in this edition of the Tour.