The final Alpine stage of the Tour de France will be shortened to just 59 kilometers (37 miles) because of adverse weather conditions in the mountain range.
After stage 19 was stopped because of hailstorms that caused a landslide on the route, race organizers said two of three climbs will be eliminated from Saturday’s stage.
”Due to difficult weather conditions expected … and landslides noticed, the course of the 20th stage of the Tour de France will be modified,” they said in a statement.
“The start will be given in Albertville at 14:30 for a total distance of 59kms. All the initial sporting points will be withdrawn except the KOM standings at the finish in Val Thorens.”
The stage to the ski resort of Val Thorens, the last major difficulty before the race reaches Paris on Sunday, had an initial length of 130 kilometers (81 miles).
Egan Bernal (Team Ineos) holds a 48 second lead over Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) going into the final day of mountains, after the young Colombian stole a march up the Col de l’Iseran on stage 19.
