Cattle cull forces change to Tour de France stage route

Changes have been made to Friday’s stage 19 of the Tour de France due to the culling of cows taking place in the Col des Saisies area.

The discovery of a contagious disease amongst cattle has meant the route will be shortened from 129.9 kilometres to just 95 kilometres with two climbs – the 11.3 kilometre Côte d’Hery-sur-Ugine and the 13.7 kilometre Col des Saisies – removed.

An outbreak of nodular dermatitis meant the affected herd has needed to be culled, and race organisers have taken the decision to divert the route in light of “distress” amongst those farmers concerned.