How has a Cow disease shortened Tour de France competition by 95 kms?

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In an unexpected twist during the 2025 Tour de France, Stage 19 was significantly shortened from the original 129.9 kilometers to 95 kilometers.

This drastic change came as a result of an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis among cattle near the Col des Saisies in the Savoie region of France. The viral skin disease, which affects cattle but is not transmittable to humans, prompted local farmers to cull their infected herds in a bid to contain the disease, causing substantial economic and emotional distress in the rural community.

Race organizers, in close coordination with local authorities, decided to reroute the stage to avoid the infected area. This decision was made out of respect for the suffering farmers and to prevent further disruption caused by the outbreak. The new route bypassed the Côte d'Héry-sur-Ugine and the Col des Saisies climbs entirely. The Col des Saisies, a 1,657-meter high mountain pass that traditionally offers riders a challenging 13.7 km climb averaging a 6.4% gradient, has long been a scenic and iconic part of the Tour. Its omission represented a significant alteration to the stage's mountainous profile.

Despite the rerouting, Stage 19 retained its challenging Alpine character, featuring other demanding climbs such as the hors catégorie Col du Pré and category 2 Cormet de Roselend, before culminating in the final ascent to La Plagne. The riders rejoined the original course near Beaufort about 52.4 kilometers into the stage, bypassing the affected terrain to ensure the safety of both the agricultural community and the athletes.

The outbreak and subsequent route change highlighted the balancing act between the sporting aspects of the Tour and respect for local communities. Organisers emphasised the importance of sensitivity toward rural agricultural issues, demonstrating how unforeseen circumstances can directly impact one of cycling's most prestigious events. The start time of the stage was also delayed by one hour to 2:30 pm local time to accommodate the revised, shorter course.