A first in the history of Tour de France ? If we obviously put aside the edition impacted by the COVID, it is very likely … Through a press release published this Thursday evening, the organization of the Large loop said that the 19th stage between Albertville and La Plagne had to be modified and shortened 95 km instead of the 129.9 planned, the whole start of the stage being impacted and the collar of seizures removed. The reason is quite unique and exceptional: “The discovery within a herd specifically located in the Col des Entités, a contagious nodular dermatosis focus affecting the cattle, must lead to the slaughter of animals. Faced with the disarray of the breeders concerned and in order to preserve the serenity of the race, it was decided, in agreement with the authorities, to modify the journey of the 19th Albertville-La Plagne stage and not cross the collar of seizures“. Such a modification to guarantee health security, and this the night before, is probably unheard of on the Tour… a sincere thought of course for our farmer friends in the face of this dramatic situation for them.
VIDEO – Christian Prudhomme on Cyclism'Actu before the Alps
Less than 100 km … An even more explosive step than expected?
In fact, the route is thus unchanged from kilometer 52 in Beaufort: the runners will therefore always stop the Col du Pré and the Cormet de Roselend before the final ascent to La Plagne (19.1 km at 7.2 %), all in 74 km. The whole previous part is now summed up at the expense of Albertville and a very flat detour of around twenty terminals to rally Beaufort, avoiding the Côte d'Héry-sur-Ugine and especially the Col des Entries, first big difficulty in the route with 13.7 km at 6.4% average. A departure which will therefore be much less demanding, even if the stage itself will be even shorter than expected and therefore potentially much more explosive. An exceptional change that augurs for a legendary stage, as often on the Tour de France In this kind of somewhat special context. It remains to be seen who will benefit this expected chaos for a little more than two hours?
The press release specifies: “The fictitious departure will be given as planned at the exit of Albertville. After 7km of parade the runners will take the direction of the D925 where the real departure will be given. The race will then join the initial route shortly before Beaufort (km 52.4 on the initial hourly route). Given this modification, which will in particular obscure the Col des Entries, the course route will be 95 km instead of the 129.9 planned. Consequently, the fictitious departure will be given at 2:30 p.m. or an hour after the scheduled schedule planned.”
The modified course of the 19th stage
– Friday July 25 – STEP 19 : Albertville – La Plagne / 129,9 km 95 km (departure at 2:30 p.m.)
The official press release from the Tour de France and ASO:
“The discovery within a herd specifically located in the Col des Entités, a contagious nodular dermatosis focus affecting the cattle, must lead to the slaughter of animals. Faced with the disarray of the breeders concerned and in order to preserve the serenity of the race, it was decided, in agreement with the authorities, to modify the route of the 19th stage Albertville-La Plagne and not to cross the Col des Entries.
The fictitious departure will be given as planned at the exit of Albertville. After 7km of parade the runners will take the direction of the D925 where the real departure will be given. The race will then join the initial route shortly before Beaufort (km 52.4 on the initial hourly route). Given this modification, which will in particular obscure the Col des Entries, the course route will be 95 km instead of the 129.9 planned. Consequently, the fictitious departure will be given at 2:30 p.m. or an hour after the scheduled schedule planned.”
