Tour de France final stage shortened because of France wildfires

Tour de France organisers announced on Saturday that they were shortening Sunday's final stage because of wildfires in southwest France.

The decision followed a statement from the French interior ministry that officers initially mobilised to provide security for the race would need to be redeployed to areas affected by the fires.

Organisers ASO said the final-stage route from Thoiry to Paris was being adapted in a spirit of national solidarity with affected areas and communities.

The 21st stage had been scheduled to cover 133 kilometres and begin west of Paris in Thoiry. Under the revised plan, it will start on the Champs Elysees in Paris, include extra laps around the avenue and then join the main Montmartre circuit. The stage will now cover 89 kilometres.

The fires around Arcachon Bay near Bordeaux in the Gironde region, and around Biscarrosse in the Landes, have destroyed more than 36,000 hectares of wooded area. Close to 200,000 people have been evacuated, many from tourist areas.