Home / Sports / Extreme Heat May Halt Tour de France Stages
Extreme Heat May Halt Tour de France Stages
4 Jul
Summary
- Regional officials can cancel Tour de France stages due to heat.
- An extreme heatwave in June caused over 2,000 excess deaths.
- Race director is confident in adapting to extreme weather conditions.
Regional officials in France have been granted the power to cancel stages of the Tour de France if a red heatwave alert is declared. This new protocol, detailed in an Interior Ministry document, allows for cancellations when health or operational conditions compromise the safety of spectators and staff, or the provision of emergency services.
The race is set to begin under the threat of extreme temperatures, with forecasts indicating highs of 39 degrees Celsius for the stage in Carcassonne. This concern is heightened by the recent impact of a June heatwave, which reportedly caused 2,025 excess deaths across France.
Despite the potential for severe weather, Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme stated his confidence in the event's preparedness. He emphasized that a heat protocol, considering temperature, humidity, wind, and speed, has been in place for years to manage high-temperature conditions for the athletes.
