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Tour de France stage altered due to cattle disease

The 19th stage of the Tour de France was significantly shortened after cows were culled due to a disease outbreak.

July 25, 2025 at 12:42 PM

Culling of infected cows leads to shortened 19th stage of Tour de France

The 19th stage of the Tour de France faced changes due to a contagious disease in cows.

Tour de France altered due to cattle disease outbreak

LA PLAGNE, France — The 19th stage of the Tour de France was cut short on Friday. Cows infected with a contagious disease forced race organizers to adjust the route. Originally set to span 80.5 miles from Albertville to La Plagne, the distance was reduced to 57.7 miles. Two climbs were removed, including the pivotal Col des Saisies, where an outbreak of nodular dermatitis was reported. Race organizers ASO explained that the situation demanded attention to maintain the calm and safety surrounding the event. The start time was also pushed back to accommodate these changes, reflecting the urgency of the matter amidst the competitive race.

Key Takeaways

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The Tour de France 19th stage was shortened due to a disease outbreak in cows.

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Cattle culled in the Col des Saisies area prompted route changes.

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The stage distance reduced from 80.5 miles to 57.7 miles.

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Organizers aimed to maintain safety and calm amid the race’s intensity.

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Culling reflects the broader implications of agricultural health on public events.

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Jonas Vingegaard is running out of opportunities to catch up with Pogačar.

"Given the consternation of the breeders concerned, and in order to maintain the calm of the race, it was decided to modify the route."

This statement from ASO explains the reasoning behind changing the stage route.

"This is an unexpected turn of events, highlighting the intersection of health and sport."

An expert's view on how agricultural issues can impact major sporting competitions.

This decision to shorten the stage not only impacted the race dynamics but also highlighted the fragile relationship between agriculture and sporting events. Culling infected animals is a critical public health measure that underscores the severity of the outbreak. In the broader context, the incident raises questions about how agricultural practices intersect with large-scale public events. For cyclists, the altered stage poses a challenge, particularly for competitors like Jonas Vingegaard, who sees this as a narrowing window to reclaim the yellow jersey from rival Tadej Pogačar.