Sunday's grand finale of the Tour de France in Paris will be shortened due to the redeployment of security forces to battle wildfires near Bordeaux. Stage 21, where cyclists perform laps around the Champs Elysees, will be reduced to 89 kilometres instead of the 133 kilometres originally planned.
In a joint statement, Paris police and event organisers explained that numerous wildfires are affecting France, particularly the Gironde region. The Interior Ministry decided to redeploy a portion of the internal security forces initially mobilised for the final stage to reinforce response efforts and protect the population in the affected areas.
Organisers said they would shorten and adapt the stage in a spirit of national solidarity. Meanwhile, Slovenian four-times champion Tadej Pogacar had a nearly insurmountable lead in his quest for a third straight Tour de France title going into Saturday's stage 20.