A stage of the Tour de France has been shortened to keep away from a herd of diseased cows, organisers mentioned.
Stage 19 of the 21-stage competitors by means of the mountains from Albertville to La Plagne was lower from practically 130km to 95km (81 miles to 59 miles), eliminating two of the 5 deliberate climbs.
Organisers shortened the stage because of an outbreak of “contagious nodular dermatitis” present in a herd of cows in Col des Saisies, a 13.7km (8.5-mile) climb.
“The discovery of an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis affecting cattle in a herd located specifically in the Col des Saisies has necessitated the culling of the animals,” the organisers of the Tour de France, ASO, mentioned in an announcement late Thursday.
Picture:
A cow seems to be at Tour de France cyclists going previous. File pic: Reuters/Stephane Mahe
“In light of the distress experienced by the affected farmers and in order to preserve the smooth running of the race, it has been decided, in agreement with the relevant authorities, to modify the route of Stage 19 (Albertville-La Plagne) and to avoid the ascent to the col des Saisies.”
The stage began one hour later than deliberate at 2.30pm native time (1.30pm UK time) and bypassed climbs in Cote d’Hery-sur-Ugine and Col des Saises and rejoining the unique route close to Beaufort.
The tour is ready to finish in Paris on Sunday.
Presently within the lead is three-time winner and defending champion Tadej Pogacar from Slovenia, who held a lead of 4 minutes and 26 seconds forward of his rival Jonas Vingegaard after the completion of Stage 18 on Thursday.
