News

Tour de France final stage shortened due to wildfires

todayJuly 25, 2026 11

Background
share close

Tour de France organisers announced on Saturday that they were shortening the following day’s final stage due to the wildfires ravaging southwest France.

The news came after the interior ministry had said that it would need to redeploy officers initially mobilised to provide security for the race, to areas affected by the fire.

“In a spirit of national solidarity with the areas and communities affected, it was decided to adapt the route for the final stage from Thoiry to Paris,” organisers ASO said in a statement.

The 21st stage was due to last 133km and begin west of Paris in Thoiry.

Instead, it will start on the Champs Elysees in Paris and take in a couple of extra laps around the famous avenue before joining the main Montmartre circuit, and will last only 89km.

The wild fires around the Arcachon Bay area near Bordeaux in the Gironde region, and around Biscarrosse in the Landes, have destroyed seen more than 36,000 hectares of wooded area.

Close to 200,000 people have been evacuated, many from tourist spots.

AFP

Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now.

Written by: IOL News

Rate it

Previous post

Sports

Richards Bay knock Durban City out of Premier’s Cup

Richards Bay held their nerve from the penalty spot to edge Durban City 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout after the sides played to a 1-1 draw, booking their place in the next round of the 2026 KZN Premier's Cup.The KZN clash had all the intensity expected of two local rivals, with neither side willing to give an inch despite the intensity. But Richards Bay looked more attacking and opened […]

todayJuly 25, 2026 22


Magic 828

Magic 828 AM is a South African commercial radio station playing the best of hits from the 80s, 90s and 2000’s

Download Our App

Don’t miss a track or memorable tune. Download the Magic828 App now on your mobile phone by clicking here!

0%