Extreme Heat Alters 2025 French Cycling Championships in Vendée
Extreme heat conditions significantly affected the 2025 French Cycling Championships, leading to adjustments in race lengths and protocols.
Key Points
- • Marie Le Net wins her first title in the women's race under extreme heat.
- • The men's race distance was reduced due to high temperatures, from 231 km to 214.5 km.
- • Race start times were adjusted to address heat concerns, enhancing competitor safety.
- • Additional refreshment zones were established to help manage hydration during the races.
The 2025 French Cycling Championships, taking place in Vendée, faced significant challenges due to extreme heat, prompting adjustments to both the women's and men's road races. On June 28, Marie Le Net captured her first French championship title in the women's road race, demonstrating resilience against the sweltering conditions exceeding 35°C. Le Net, riding for FDJ-Suez, won with a substantial 39-second lead, outpacing second-placed Léa Curinier and third-placed Julie Bego. Despite a strong performance, cycling favorite Cédrine Kerbaol finished in 18th, falling short after having previously won the time trial earlier in the week.
The men's race, scheduled for June 29, has also been impacted by the heat. Organizers announced the event would be shortened from 231 kilometers to 214.5 kilometers due to anticipated temperatures reaching 36°C. Notably, the number of laps was reduced from 14 to 13, affecting the critical final climb at Mont des Alouettes. Additionally, the race start time has been postponed from 11:35 AM to 12:00 PM to alleviate the possibility of heat-related issues among competitors. These decisions reflect the concerted efforts by officials to ensure participant safety under challenging weather conditions.