Tour de France's queen stage put at risk after its key climb is hit by two mudslides in a span of one week

The 2026 Tour de France's grand finale is centered around its iconic ascent Alpe d'Huez, but less than four weeks before this year's edition reaches its decisive penultimate stage, the Col de Sarenne has been hit by a second mudslide in a span of one week, raising fresh concerns about the route's safety.

Footage shared by Météo Oisans on Monday showed mud and debris covering the mountain road, just days after a previous landslide on June 25-26 temporarily closed the route before crews cleared and reopened it.

Stage 20, starting in Le Bourg d’Oisans, covers 170.9km and includes around 5,450 metres of climbing. Riders will tackle the Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Télégraphe and Col du Galibier before the decisive ascent of the Col de Sarenne. The 12.8km climb averages 7.3%, with gradients nearing 10% in places, and its 1,999-metre summit comes just 14.4km from the finish.

The blows keep coming at race organizers from all directions. Almost as if some higher force was against the climb's inclusion. Col de Sarenne has already been at the centre of controversy ahead of this year’s race.

A petition opposing its inclusion attracted more than 10,000 signatures, with campaigners arguing that the influx of spectators, vehicles and television helicopters could threaten the protected Ferrand Valley’s wildlife and fragile vegetation. Similar environmental concerns were raised before the Tour’s only previous visit to the pass in 2013.