Wildfires Force Exclusion of Publicity Caravan, Spectators from Stage 3 of Tour de France

The third stage of the Tour de France on Monday is facing major changes due to wildfires which have already destroyed more than 1,500 hectares (5.8 square miles) in southwest France.

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme has confirmed reports that the prefecture, or local government, has blocked the publicity caravan and also requested that spectators do not attend the final kilometers of the event.

“On French territory, the advertising caravan will not circulate,” stated the prefect Pierre Regnault de la Mothe in a press conference, as reported by l’Equipe.

“The plan will be limited to the passage of the only riders and vehicles essential to the organization of the event.”

He said that the public was “invited not to go to the edges of the race or to the finish location. That is to say, and I regret having to announce it, it will be — in France in any case — a stage of the Tour de France without an audience.”

The stage begins in Granollers in Catalunya and covers 195.9km to Les Angles, with the final 44km of the stage in France.

That section is what is affected by today’s decision. Spanish authorities have not announced any changes as yet.

It means the public will not be along the roadside for the category three climbs of the Col du Calvaire and then at the finish.

The finish line is situated approximately 60km from the blaze.

Rumors of stage cancellation

Some media reports had suggested that the stage could be cancelled but fortunately it appears — for now at least — that is not on the cards.

France has been hit by heatwaves in recent weeks as a result of climate change, with the dry conditions creating a tinderbox effect which has enabled the current fires to spread so extensively.

Regnault de la Mothe said that 750 firefighters have been fighting the blaze, assisted by 200 vehicles and nine water helicopters, as well as other aircraft. They are trying to limit the spread towards the south.

“The fire of exceptional magnitude that is currently underway in the Pyrénées-Orientales mobilizes a massive commitment by our firefighters, but also of the internal security forces and all the services of the State,” said Regnault de la Mothe, according to Eurosport.

“The absolute and very clear priority is obviously the protection of populations, property and natural areas and the control of the disaster.

French gendarmerie police will act to stop the public from attending the race.