Tour de France 2025: 19th Stage Shortened Amid Cattle Disease Concerns

The 19th stage of the Tour de France has been officially shortened from 129.9 kilometers to 95 kilometers due to the outbreak of a contagious cattle disease known as dermatose nodulaire contagieuse. The decision, made by the race organizing company ASO, comes as a measure to protect local farmers affected by the disease and to ensure the race’s integrity. The stage, set to take place between Albertville and La Plagne, will now remove the first two climbs from its original route, leaving three significant ascents for the cyclists to tackle.

The stage will kick off with a fictitious start at 14:30, one hour later than initially scheduled, before a real start after 7 kilometers. It is expected to conclude around 17:32, with an average race speed projected at about 34 km/h. The remaining climbs include the hors catégorie Col du Pré, stretching 12.6 kilometers at a 7.7% average gradient, the Cormet de Roselend at 5.9 kilometers with a 6.3% gradient, and the final ascent to La Plagne, which is notable as it marks the first time this location has hosted a Tour finish in 23 years.

Cyclists such as Sepp Kuss and Felix Gall are expected to be strong contenders for the victory, with early attacks anticipated due to the shortened distance. Other riders, including Julian Alaphilippe, might look to capitalize on the fatigue in the peloton stemming from the altered race dynamics. As hosts of the Winter Olympics in 1992, Albertville is recognized for its sports culture, and La Plagne is famed for its alpine racing events and challenging terrain, adding intriguing dimensions to the stage's significance.

Fans eager to catch the action can watch the live broadcast starting at 13:30 on France 2, France 3, and Eurosport 1, highlighting the competitive nature of this year's Tour as it adapts to unforeseen circumstances.