Tour de France returns to coronavirus measures due to wildfires: no fans for final of stage 3

Heat and wildfires are casting a heavy shadow over the first days of the Tour de France. After a sweltering Stage 2, the organizers issued a statement in the evening regarding the third stage, in which the finale will be held without spectators. Wildfires in Catalonia are making the situation too dangerous.

The Tour de France was already severely tested during its opening weekend, with temperatures ranging from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius in and around Barcelona. The Spanish city was fortunate that the team time trial took place in the evening on Saturday; by Sunday, during stage 2, temperatures hit the 40-degree mark.

Extremely high temperatures are once again forecast for Tuesday's fourth stage, which cuts across the Occitanie region from Carcassonne to Foix. Conditions are generally expected to cool down somewhat only after the fifth stage to Pau—though the Tour de France organizers had other concerns as well.

Course director Thierry Gouvenou commented in Barcelona on the wildfires currently raging in Catalonia. These fires are burning just a few dozen kilometers from the finish line of stage three in Les Angles.

A decision was therefore made following the second stage—a measure reminiscent of the coronavirus era. The final 44 kilometers of the stage will be contested without spectators, according to the Pyrénées-Orientales department speaking to L'Équipe.

During the final section of the stage on French soil, the publicity caravan will not operate, meaning only the peloton of riders will be allowed through. Spokesperson Pierre Regnault urged the public not to come to the race in this region under any circumstances.

The ASO confirmed the news in a press release: "The massive forest fire in the Pyrénées-Orientales department requires a major deployment of personnel to protect people, homes, and the natural landscape. The fire must be brought under control."

For this reason, the Tour de France is organizing the finale of Stage 3 without spectators, thereby reducing the number of personnel needed to manage operations. "The Tour de France will therefore take place in an exceptional format, relying on self-contained organization and a scaled-back execution."

Further measures beyond those taken at the time of writing may prove necessary. The region's priority is simply not a cycling race, and holding the race without spectators also reduces the risk of additional fires breaking out.

Gouvenou is also preparing measures for the remainder of the Tour de France, where heat is expected to play a significant role—specifically regarding cooling and hydration. French authorities recently mandated that the Tour de France must also comply with the measures they implement during "Code Red" alerts.

This implies that adjustments or even cancellations could occur in the coming days. "As an exceptional measure, and in consultation with the organizer and all stakeholders, a decision may be made to cancel a stage," the Ministry of the Interior informed officials in the relevant regions, according to L'Équipe.

"This applies when health or operational conditions no longer allow us to simultaneously guarantee the safety of spectators and staff and ensure the continuity of emergency services for the public."