Final mountain stage of Tour de France rerouted due to cattle cull
The cattle were culled after an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis was discovered in a herd on the slopes of the Col des Saisies, which was scheduled to be the second categorised climb of the stage.
As a result, the Col des Saisies will now be omitted from the parcours, with the stage being shortened from 129.9km to 95km as a result. The race will also start one hour later than planned, now becoming the shortest road stage of the Tour for several years.
'The discovery of an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis affecting cattle in a herd located specifically in the Col des Saisies has necessitated the culling of the animals,' said a statement released by Tour organisers ASO on Thursday evening.
'In light of the distress experienced by the affected farmers and in order to preserve the smooth running of the race, it has been decided, in agreement with the relevant authorities, to modify the route of Stage 19 (Albertville–La Plagne) and to avoid the ascent to the col des Saisies.'
Stage 19 is the final mountain test for the main general classification contenders, with Tadej Pogacar currently holding a lead of four minutes and 26 seconds over Jonas Vingegaard.
The stage is now likely to move at a far faster pace, and a reduction in both distance and elevation is likely to lessen Vingegaard's faint hopes of overhauling Pogacar's lead. The pair finished second and third on Thursday's stage to Jayco-AlUla's Ben O'Connor.
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