Tour de France stage 19: New route map and profile revealed after race altered to avoid cow culling
Tour de France rerouted to avoid cow infection outbreak
- Tour de France organisers have shortened stage 19 from 129.9km to 95km, removing two significant climbs.
- The route modification was made due to an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis among cattle near the original route, which led to culling.
- Organisers stated the decision was taken in light of the distress experienced by affected farmers and to ensure the smooth running of the race; the start time was pushed back by one hour to 2.30pm local time with an expected finishing time of around 5.30pm.
- In the preceding stage 18, Tadej Pogacar extended his overall lead over Jonas Vingegaard by another 11 seconds.
- The shortened stage 19 offers Jonas Vingegaard less opportunity to attack and try to close the four-and-a-half minute deficit to Pogacar.