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SportsTour de France final stage shortened to 89 km due to fires, held entirely in Paris
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The 21st and final stage of the Tour de France has been shortened from 133 km to 89 km due to fires burning in departments the race was set to pass through. The decision was made by the French Minister of the Interior, who reassigned security forces to fire-affected areas, citing a lack of policing for the original route. The stage, originally linking Thoiry to Paris, will now be held entirely within the city of Paris on Sunday, July 26, 2026. The revised schedule includes a departure from Thoiry at 1:20 PM, a team presentation at 3:40 PM, and an official start from the finish line at 5:50 PM, with cyclists completing two additional laps on the Champs-Élysées before heading to the Montmartre circuit for a scheduled finish at 7:45 PM. The Tour organization expressed solidarity with affected populations and thanked all parties for understanding the exceptional measures.
Source report
Sunday's race will be held entirely within the city of Paris.
Pedro Filipe Pinto Deputy Editor, Sports
The 21st and final stage of the Tour de France will be shortened due to fires burning in several departments the caravan was scheduled to pass through. The decision was made due to a lack of policing.
Below is the statement from the Tour de France organization:
"The Minister of the Interior decided to reassign part of the internal security forces initially mobilized to ensure the safety of the final stage of the Tour de France, in order to reinforce the measures implemented in the territories affected by the fires.
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"From a perspective of national solidarity with the territories and populations affected, it was decided to adapt the route of the final stage linking Thoiry to Paris, on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
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"Consequently: - The route of the 21st stage is reduced to 89 km compared to the 133 km initially planned. - The caravan's departure is scheduled in Thoiry at 1:20 PM – after the parade, it will leave Thoiry to head directly to the final circuit in Paris. - The team presentation will take place at 3:40 PM – after the presentation, the cyclists will head directly to the final bus circuit in Paris. - The official start will be given from the finish line at 5:50 PM – the cyclists will complete 2 additional laps on the Champs-Élysées before heading to the Montmartre circuit for a scheduled finish at 7:45 PM.
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"The police prefect and the director of the Tour de France commend the commitment of all those mobilized in the fight against the fires and express their full solidarity with the affected populations. They thank the cyclists, teams, local authorities, partners, and the public for their understanding of these exceptional measures made necessary by the situation."
Source
RecordWestern
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Final Stage of Tour de France Shortened Due to Fires, Held Entirely in Paris