The Tour de France has modified this Friday's Alpine stage due to a contagious outbreak in a herd.
Stage 18 of the Tour de France, the final stage in the Alps, will be 34.4 kilometers shorter than planned, as the route through the Col de Saisies was suspended. Organizers said a contagious plague has been discovered in a herd of cattle grazing there.
The stage, which begins in Albertville, will cover just 95 kilometers, compared to the 129.9 kilometers initially planned, omitting the second of the first-category climbs planned for a day whose highlight will be the climb to La Plagne, a special category climb, where the finish line is located.
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The Tour reported that cases of "contagious lumpy dermatitis" have been detected in a cattle herd that will need to be slaughtered.
"Given the distress of the affected ranchers and to preserve the serenity of the race, it has been decided, in coordination with the authorities, to modify the stage route," the organizers said in a statement.
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In this way, they hope to avoid a cattle ranchers' demonstration that had been announced at the port.
The race's mock start will take place in Albertville an hour later than scheduled, at 2:30 p.m., and after nine kilometers, the real start will take place in the town where kilometer 52.4 of the original route should have been.
The decision avoids a demanding climb on the stage, 13.7 kilometers long at an average gradient of 6.4%. However, it maintains the other major climb of the day, the Col du Pré, a special category climb, 12.6 kilometers long at 7.7%, before La Plagne, 19.1 kilometers long at 7.2%.
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