Mont Ventoux Tour de France Femmes stage in doubt over wildfires - "The prefecture has asked the organisers to consider an alternative route"
CyclingThursday, 30 July 2026 at 21:30
The men's Tour de France this month was impacted as a result of wildfires sweeping across France, with two stages' routes altered as a result. Now, it seems that the Tour de France Femmes could also face changes as a result of the crisis.
With high temperatures scorching Europe in recent weeks, wildfires in France have seen over 250,000 evacuated around Bordeaux. The increased requirement for emergency services means that races could face changes to ensure safety of those involved.
August 7th's stage 7 is the queen stage of the Tour de France Femmes and finishing on the iconic Mont Ventoux. Almost 3500 meters of climbing and 147 kilometers make it a brute that's set to be a key point in the general classification battle next week.
However, regional authorities have reportedly reached out to organisers in a bid to change the stage's route, with the parcours passing the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain range, authorities have moved to enquire if the ascents of Col de Suzette and the Col de la Madeleine can be removed before the Giant of Provence. Mont Ventoux is not proposed to be removed.
Proposed change to Mont Ventoux approach
“At a time when forested areas are particularly vulnerable to the risk of fire, and given that the original Tour de France Femmes route passes through the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain range, the prefecture has asked the organisers to consider an alternative route that avoids this area,” the authorities said on the Vaucluse website.
A change in course could see the stage shortened as the peloton would have to approach Mont Ventoux from the north.
The race will begin on Saturday, August 1, with the first two stages taking place in Switzerland. A time trial on stage 4 looms next amid some challenging tests before the queen stage.
After that, the race rides from Sisteron to Nice before a finale in the Mediterranean city will conclude the 2026 edition of the race.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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