"I don't think anyone wants it on their conscience": Riders' Union in talks with Tour de France organisers to introduce early morning starts to beat extreme heat waves
CyclingSunday, 12 July 2026 at 22:46
The Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA), professional cycling's riders' union, is in discussions with Tour de France organisers about the possibility of starting selected stages earlier in the morning to reduce riders' exposure to extreme temperatures.
Morning starts considered for the hottest stages
According to CPA representative Staf Scheirlinckx, the proposal is now being taken seriously, although any changes would only be possible from next season onwards due to the logistical complexity of the current edition.
"This proposal is no longer untouchable," Scheirlinckx told WielerFlits. "We're talking about next year, because for this edition it's virtually impossible from a logistical point of view."
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Only stages passing through regions particularly prone to extreme heat would potentially begin earlier in the day, when temperatures are significantly lower. The CPA is also pushing for a flexible protocol that would allow organisers to react quickly if unexpectedly severe heat develops in other regions.
Scheirlinckx stressed that protecting riders' long-term health must be the priority, warning about the possible consequences of repeatedly competing in extreme conditions. "I don't think anyone wants it on their conscience that, in ten years' time, half the peloton is suffering from lung problems because they raced in extreme heat."
Tadej Pogacar taking shaded shelter during the heatwave of the 2026 Tour de France
Health concerns balanced against logistical problems
While advocating for changes, Scheirlinckx made it clear that cancelling stages is not viewed as a realistic solution. "Not holding the race isn't an option, because you're simply taking away people's work. It's a right to work."
Any adjustment to the Tour schedule would also have major commercial implications. Television broadcasts, sponsor commitments and the event's entire daily programme are built around afternoon racing, meaning that earlier starts would require significant coordination between organisers, broadcasters and commercial partners.
No decision has been made so far. Any eventual change would require agreement between the CPA, teams, Tour organisers (ASO) and the UCI, but Scheirlinckx believes rider welfare is increasingly becoming the decisive factor in those discussions.
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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- Would be very interesting indeed
Rafionain-Glas13-07-2026 - You realise that at that time, A. Doping didn’t interest too many and people hda hard time distinguishing what was morally ok and what not inthat department. B. There were very few voices and those there were were generally split according to nationality with non-Belgian ones were far more suggestive. C. All his rivals were equally doped so there was no point for neutrals to point in any direction. At the time doping was not considered so much immoral as dangerous. There are excellent website giving a simple summary of historical doping or an exhaustive listing of riders pinned for doping in each year. Let me know if you’re interested.Jumpyjohn12-07-2026
- Weird way of arguing to dispel suspicion. Let’s try another weird way to argue suspicion. There is no evidence any anonymous member of the public wants to harm children but would you leave when your child is in a playground and some guy is sitting around close by? It’s hunan nature to be suspicious and up to a point, healthy and useful, don’t tell people to stop. Some of the statements are downright silly, if anyone could prove it, there would be no point in accusing it would be fact. There are enough reasons to be suspicious, besides those that get repeated, how about the number of other riders where there was never proof or evidence who later admitted having doped or got caught out retrospectively? In any case, even if something were revealed it’s unlikely to be definedas doping, they’d be really stupid to try that AGAIN, but anything unfair that technically isn’t classable as doping will be argued as being legal and allowed. Anyone who knows Mauro knows how his lawyers work and the freedom it gives them in searching for no-risk solutions for advantages. You all seem to forget (or ignore) his personal experimentation with dopingless doping.Jumpyjohn12-07-2026
- Pity Traen crashed out, could have been this years’ surpriseJumpyjohn12-07-2026
- Can’t really tell your boss or sponsor you’re sraying home if they need you at work or pay you for it though, or is this how you function? It’s always been obvious he’d prefer not to have to go anymore, at least ever since he got his first stage to dedicate to his granpa.Jumpyjohn12-07-2026
- I think he went for it because it was an interesting stage for him to go for and because he felt in shape, no other reason. Or do you imagine he’d have held back if Jasper had won any or even ALL the sprints?Jumpyjohn12-07-2026
- Tadej Pogačar is facing another wave of doping allegations on social media and from skeptics following his historically dominant performances at the Tour de France. I want Vingegaard to be put through a scanner and analyzed in detail because it is impossible that in the 2nd toughest race in the world in May in the toughest sport, he made all 180+ cyclists look like amateurs with 80% strength. I want him to be examined in detail. He must be doping, just like Pogi. I want Merlier to be tested for gene doping and everything possible, because he must be cheating. Belgians, speak up!!! It is not possible that he is 5 times better than everyone else in the sprints, and he makes them look like amateurs. He must be doping, just like Pogi. I just want to hear Belgians on this topic.mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales12-07-2026
- I wasn't around during Merxck's peak. Was he openly questioned and surrounded by doping-related questions all the time too?Ride197412-07-2026
- Seems like Jasper is off this year, can't deliver more than a top 10. That's probably why MVDP went for it today. He gave Jasper two good chances, but nothing.Ride197412-07-2026
- Like in horse racing?Ride197412-07-2026
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