Reconfigured and Postponed Tour de France Stage 19: Route Altered and Start Time Shifted Due to Cattle Disease Prevalence at Col des Saisies
Tour de France Modifies Stage 19 Due to Cattle Disease Outbreak
The organizers of the Tour de France have made a last-minute change to Stage 19, altering the route to avoid an area affected by a contagious nodular dermatitis outbreak in cattle. This decision was made in agreement with relevant authorities to prevent the spread of the disease and show respect for the affected farmers.
The incident occurred in the Col des Saisies, where an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis, a viral skin infection affecting cattle, necessitated the culling of the diseased animals and the restriction of access to the area. This disease, while not transmissible to humans, can cause significant animal suffering and economic hardship for farmers.
As a result, the route of Stage 19, initially planned to be approximately 130 km, has been modified and shortened to about 95 km or 59 miles. Two climbs, the Côte d'Héry-sur-Ugine and the Col des Saisies, have been removed from the route.
The revised Stage 19 will still begin in Albertville, host city of the 1992 Winter Olympics, but an hour later at 2:30 p.m. local time. Following a 7-kilometer neutral rollout, the peloton will rejoin the original race route shortly before Beaufort.
The day's first big test will be the Col du Pré, a category HC ascent of 12.6 kilometers at an average gradient of 7.7%. The peloton will then face the significant climb of La Plagne, another HC climb, which is the final destination for the revised Stage 19, following the Col du Pré. The exact length and average gradient of the La Plagne climb are not provided in the article.
The remainder of Stage 19, after the Col du Pré, will lead to the top of La Plagne, and this part of the route remains unchanged. The revised Stage 19 will cover 95 kilometers instead of the originally planned 129.9 kilometers.
This incident is notable as such re-routing for disease containment is rare in the Tour de France's history and highlights how agricultural health issues can influence major international sporting events.
The abrupt change in Stage 19's route for the Tour de France was due to a contagious nodular dermatitis outbreak in cattle, impacting the Col des Saisies. Consequently, spectators and participants will now avoid the affected area, as sports events must prioritize disease prevention and farmers' welfare.
