Tour de France stage 21 changed once again - Forest fires force cut before Paris circuit
CyclingSaturday, 25 July 2026 at 16:14
In 2025, the final stage of the Tour de France in Paris was neutralized due to the rain in the brand new circuit around Montmartre. The weather has forced changes to the Grand Boucle's final stage once again; this time around with the forest fires forcing changes to the first part of stage.
Paris stage cut at the Tour de France
Initially, the stage was planned to be 133 kilometers long, beginning in Thoiry, with the riders racing 55 kilometers before reaching Paris and entering the circuit. However simultaneously, the difficult weather conditions which have been leading to multiple wildfires on French territory, are forcing changes.
Already on stage 3 to Les Angles, the race had to send specific indications to team vehicles, logistics and media - the convoy following the race - as wildfires in the Pyrenees requires lots of manpower to fight it; whilst the risk of further fires beginning because of the population following the race on the road and also the convoy was high.
Wildfires are currently raging through Spanish and French territory amidst another heat wave on the European continent. In France, those west of Bordeaux are currently the most worrying and are requiring law enforcement to move towards the area. As a result, the first part of the Tour stage may be cut so as to free up important law enforcement to aid in the situation on the southwest.
The Tour de France has had multiple ways to tackle the extreme temperatures that continue to soar through France
Read also
Climate change continues to affect Tour de France
According to CNN, over 200.000 people have been displaced in these fires and both countries are requesting international help so as to control the situation.
The Tour de France continues to be affected by climate change. This year's edition has had an incredibly high average temperature and the heat was an important topic from start to finish of the race.
The riders began the race in Barcelona with temperatures touching on 35 degrees and throughout its first half, there was no restbite from a brutal heatwave that caused a lot of damage. Lots of riders suffered from the heat, and the weather conditions forced teams to adapt in extraordinary circumstances.
Statement from the Tour de France
"As numerous wildfires are currently affecting France, particularly the Gironde region, emergency services are fully mobilized to combat the blazes, while internal security forces are working to secure the affected areas and protect the population.
In light of this, the Ministry of Interior has decided to redeploy a portion of the internal security forces initially mobilized to ensure security for the final stage of the Tour de France, in order to reinforce the response efforts in the areas affected by the wildfires.
In the spirit of national solidarity with the affected regions and populations, it has been decided to adjust the route of the final stage between Thoiry and Paris on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Consequently:
- The route for Stage 21 has been shortened to 89 km, down from the 133 km originally planned.
- The caravan is scheduled to depart from Thoiry at 1:20 p.m. – after the parade, it will leave
- Thoiry and head directly to the final circuit in Paris.
- The team presentation will take place at 3:40 p.m.—after the presentation, the riders will travel directly to the final circuit in Paris by bus.
- The official start will be given from the finish line at 5:50 p.m.—the riders will complete two additional laps of the Champs-Élysées before heading to the Montmartre circuit for a scheduled finish at 7:45 p.m.
The Prefect of Police and the Director of the Tour de France commend the dedication of all those involved in fighting the wildfires and express their full solidarity with the affected communities. They thank the riders, the teams, the local authorities, the partners and the public for their understanding regarding these exceptional measures made necessary by the situation".
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- Thanks, stopped me reading it :-)Mistermaumau25-07-2026
- I’ve seen this happen over a caravan catch attempt eith zero alcohol involved. Not really surprising to have an occasional fight when you have 100 to 200k spectators packed together grabbing stuff. As a cyclist you’d know far less can start the same, like just using a public road. I tend to give away most of what I catch to nearby kids or their parents.Mistermaumau25-07-2026
- At the Ballon d’Alsace they placed the rope at the edge of the tarmac where a deep v-shaped gully carries the run-off before a 45 degree incline into the forest. Needless to say, not one person stayed behind.Mistermaumau25-07-2026
- Kuss! Was so hoping he won the stage today. Head up high, you gave it your best!b3tlla25-07-2026
- Maybe he’s tired from yesterday? Regardless, I think it’s great character of him to help a protege.b3tlla25-07-2026
- Its just stupid for Pogi in yellow to work for a weaker rider in a mountain stage. If Jonas was there this would not have happenedabstractengineer25-07-2026
- A few times yesterday I thought the crowd was going to take out a few riders. And, the same could happen today as well as they are returning to the Alpemd197525-07-2026
- Sensational headline with little substance.
KerisVroom25-07-2026 - Madeleines or haribos.... more a comedy scrap. It's funny but when you let alcohol take over this happens and I suspect the old chap in the white had been refreshing himself in the heat.slappers6625-07-2026
- Some things I didn't foresee. But I was sure about Ayuso...MajorPayne25-07-2026
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