The Tour shortens its final stage this Sunday by 44 kilometers due to the serious fires affecting France

The organizers of the 2026 Tour de France have announced this Saturday a 44-kilometre cut for the 21st and final stage, scheduled for this Sunday between Thoiry and the Champs-Élysées in Paris, as part of the reassignment of the State security forces and bodies due to the serious fires that are affecting the country.

“Numerous fires are currently affecting France, and in particular the department of Gironde. Emergency services are fully mobilized to combat the flames, and security forces and bodies are working hard to protect the population of the affected areas,” indicated the Tour organization.

“In this context, the Minister of the Interior has decided to reassign part of the French State security forces and bodies initially mobilized to guarantee the security of the final stage of the Tour de France, in order to reinforce the resources deployed in the areas affected by the fires,” added the official statement.

The same note explained that, “in a gesture of solidarity with the affected areas and populations”, it had been decided to “adapt the route of the final stage” that will crown the Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) as champion for the fifth time in his professional career.

“The route of the 21st stage is reduced to 89 km instead of the 133 km initially planned. The caravan will leave Thoiry at 1:20 p.m. to head directly to the final circuit in Paris. The presentation of teams and riders will take place at 3:40 p.m. in Thoiry. After the presentation, the peloton will travel by bus directly to the final circuit of the Champs-Elysées,” the organizers clarified.

“The race will start from the original finish line of the Champs-Elysées at 5:50 p.m. The cyclists will complete two additional laps of the Champs-Elysées before facing the Montmartre circuit. The arrival is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.,” added the same press text.

Furthermore, the Prefect of Police and the Tour management expressed “their admiration for the dedication of all those involved in the fight against the fires and express their full solidarity with the affected localities.” Likewise, they finally thanked “the cyclists, teams, local authorities, sponsors and the public for their understanding of these exceptional measures necessary due to the situation.”