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‘You may decide to cancel a stage’ – French regions will be authorised to call off Tour de France stages if extreme heatwaves hit the race
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By
Dani Ostanek
Published
Minister of the Interior issues message to department prefects as more high temperatures are forecast in France this July
Thymen Arensman and Carlos Rodríguez cool down during the 2025 Tour de France(Image credit: Getty Images)
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Another heatwave is forecast in Western Europe in the coming days, with the upcoming Tour de France set to be affected as temperatures rise.
France’s Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nunez, has announced a set of guidelines for prefects (representatives in each department of France) around the country to enact in case of a weather ‘red alert’.
L’Equipe reports that prefects will be able to take measures, including the potential cancellation of stages, if the temperature rises to dangerous levels.
“As an exceptional measure and in consultation with the organiser and all stakeholders, you may decide to cancel a stage when health or operational conditions no longer allow us to simultaneously ensure the safety of spectators, mobilised personnel and the continuity of the response to emergencies for the population,” read a message from the Ministry of the Interior to the prefects.
During the race, Tour de France organiser ASO will provide hourly weather monitoring, while plans to safeguard fans along the route include broadcasting public safety messages, distributing water, fans, and hats, and adding more shaded areas and setting up misting systems.
As far as the riders in the Tour peloton are concerned, the UCI’s High Temperature Protocol could come into effect if the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) rises to dangerous levels. Measures available when the WBGT hits the red high-risk zone of 28°C and above include adapting start times, neutralising sections of stages, and even race cancellations.
Less drastic measures set to be put into place during hot stages include the extension of time cuts on stages and increasing the number of motos supplying water in the race.
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Recently, national federations around Western Europe took measures to protect riders during various National Championships, and with another heatwave forecast, the same may well be seen at the Tour.
President of the French Cyclists’ Union (UNCP), Pascal Chanteur, recently told Bici.Pro that races during the summer, such as the Tour, should be raced in the morning to avoid the hottest hours of the day.
“The time has come. to sit down and work together to move up the schedule,” he said.
“The races should start at 9:00 a.m. and finish at 2:30 p.m., and television would still benefit, because at that time people are at home and there would be a lot of spectators.
“I’m convinced it’s a matter of common sense. Why should we cyclists be forced to race in 45-degree heat?”
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme told L’Equipe that ASO are in “constant contact” with the Minister of the Interior to keep tabs on the situation. He also outlined the measures being taken to protect people during the Tour.
“We are in constant contact with the Ministry of the Interior; just yesterday (Thursday) we were speaking with the Prime Minister’s chief of staff,” he said.
“And this entire system is planned in the same way every year. A prefect can always make decisions of this kind for the good of the population. It’s all common sense. For the riders, we apply the UCI protocol.
“For the public, on France Télévisions, on Radio France, on ICI’s local stations, at the start and finish of stages, and along the Tour route, we regularly broadcast common-sense messages about the heat. This year again, the caravan will distribute 2,500,000 hats or caps, 550,000 cans of water, and 400,000 litres of water.”
The world’s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! Find out more.
CATEGORIES
Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer
Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro Léon.
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‘You may decide to cancel a stage’ – French regions will be authorised to call off Tour de France stages if extreme heatwaves hit the race
News
By
Dani Ostanek
Published
Minister of the Interior issues message to department prefects as more high temperatures are forecast in France this July
Thymen Arensman and Carlos Rodríguez cool down during the 2025 Tour de France(Image credit: Getty Images)
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Another heatwave is forecast in Western Europe in the coming days, with the upcoming Tour de France set to be affected as temperatures rise.
France’s Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nunez, has announced a set of guidelines for prefects (representatives in each department of France) around the country to enact in case of a weather ‘red alert’.
L’Equipe reports that prefects will be able to take measures, including the potential cancellation of stages, if the temperature rises to dangerous levels.
“As an exceptional measure and in consultation with the organiser and all stakeholders, you may decide to cancel a stage when health or operational conditions no longer allow us to simultaneously ensure the safety of spectators, mobilised personnel and the continuity of the response to emergencies for the population,” read a message from the Ministry of the Interior to the prefects.
During the race, Tour de France organiser ASO will provide hourly weather monitoring, while plans to safeguard fans along the route include broadcasting public safety messages, distributing water, fans, and hats, and adding more shaded areas and setting up misting systems.
As far as the riders in the Tour peloton are concerned, the UCI’s High Temperature Protocol could come into effect if the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) rises to dangerous levels. Measures available when the WBGT hits the red high-risk zone of 28°C and above include adapting start times, neutralising sections of stages, and even race cancellations.
Less drastic measures set to be put into place during hot stages include the extension of time cuts on stages and increasing the number of motos supplying water in the race.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Recently, national federations around Western Europe took measures to protect riders during various National Championships, and with another heatwave forecast, the same may well be seen at the Tour.
President of the French Cyclists’ Union (UNCP), Pascal Chanteur, recently told Bici.Pro that races during the summer, such as the Tour, should be raced in the morning to avoid the hottest hours of the day.
“The time has come. to sit down and work together to move up the schedule,” he said.
“The races should start at 9:00 a.m. and finish at 2:30 p.m., and television would still benefit, because at that time people are at home and there would be a lot of spectators.
“I’m convinced it’s a matter of common sense. Why should we cyclists be forced to race in 45-degree heat?”
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme told L’Equipe that ASO are in “constant contact” with the Minister of the Interior to keep tabs on the situation. He also outlined the measures being taken to protect people during the Tour.
“We are in constant contact with the Ministry of the Interior; just yesterday (Thursday) we were speaking with the Prime Minister’s chief of staff,” he said.
“And this entire system is planned in the same way every year. A prefect can always make decisions of this kind for the good of the population. It’s all common sense. For the riders, we apply the UCI protocol.
“For the public, on France Télévisions, on Radio France, on ICI’s local stations, at the start and finish of stages, and along the Tour route, we regularly broadcast common-sense messages about the heat. This year again, the caravan will distribute 2,500,000 hats or caps, 550,000 cans of water, and 400,000 litres of water.”
The world’s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! Find out more.
CATEGORIES
Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer
Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro Léon.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
LATEST ARTICLES
1
New helmets from KASK and POC, loads of aero tape hacks, and two new prototype bikes: It’s time for the 2026 Tour de France Grand Départ mega tech gallery
2
The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9 maybe getting all the early Tour de France headlines, but it’s outgoing Tarmac SL8 sibling is carrying up to 16% off
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‘You may decide to cancel a stage’ – French regions will be authorised to call off Tour de France stages if extreme heatwaves hit the race
News
By
Dani Ostanek
Published
Minister of the Interior issues message to department prefects as more high temperatures are forecast in France this July
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter
Another heatwave is forecast in Western Europe in the coming days, with the upcoming Tour de France set to be affected as temperatures rise.
France’s Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nunez, has announced a set of guidelines for prefects (representatives in each department of France) around the country to enact in case of a weather ‘red alert’.
L’Equipe reports that prefects will be able to take measures, including the potential cancellation of stages, if the temperature rises to dangerous levels.
“As an exceptional measure and in consultation with the organiser and all stakeholders, you may decide to cancel a stage when health or operational conditions no longer allow us to simultaneously ensure the safety of spectators, mobilised personnel and the continuity of the response to emergencies for the population,” read a message from the Ministry of the Interior to the prefects.
During the race, Tour de France organiser ASO will provide hourly weather monitoring, while plans to safeguard fans along the route include broadcasting public safety messages, distributing water, fans, and hats, and adding more shaded areas and setting up misting systems.
As far as the riders in the Tour peloton are concerned, the UCI’s High Temperature Protocol could come into effect if the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) rises to dangerous levels. Measures available when the WBGT hits the red high-risk zone of 28°C and above include adapting start times, neutralising sections of stages, and even race cancellations.
Less drastic measures set to be put into place during hot stages include the extension of time cuts on stages and increasing the number of motos supplying water in the race.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Recently, national federations around Western Europe took measures to protect riders during various National Championships, and with another heatwave forecast, the same may well be seen at the Tour.
President of the French Cyclists’ Union (UNCP), Pascal Chanteur, recently told Bici.Pro that races during the summer, such as the Tour, should be raced in the morning to avoid the hottest hours of the day.
“The time has come. to sit down and work together to move up the schedule,” he said.
“The races should start at 9:00 a.m. and finish at 2:30 p.m., and television would still benefit, because at that time people are at home and there would be a lot of spectators.
“I’m convinced it’s a matter of common sense. Why should we cyclists be forced to race in 45-degree heat?”
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme told L’Equipe that ASO are in “constant contact” with the Minister of the Interior to keep tabs on the situation. He also outlined the measures being taken to protect people during the Tour.
“We are in constant contact with the Ministry of the Interior; just yesterday (Thursday) we were speaking with the Prime Minister’s chief of staff,” he said.
“And this entire system is planned in the same way every year. A prefect can always make decisions of this kind for the good of the population. It’s all common sense. For the riders, we apply the UCI protocol.
“For the public, on France Télévisions, on Radio France, on ICI’s local stations, at the start and finish of stages, and along the Tour route, we regularly broadcast common-sense messages about the heat. This year again, the caravan will distribute 2,500,000 hats or caps, 550,000 cans of water, and 400,000 litres of water.”
The world’s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! Find out more.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.