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Tour de France Cuts 30 Kilometres from Stage Nine Amid Record Heat
Organisers cut 30 kilometres from stage nine on 12 July 2026 after temperatures neared 40°C. It marked the first time in the race's 123-year history that heat prompted a shortening.
Jul 18, 7:54 AM·1m read1 source
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The 2026 Tour de France shortened stage nine between Malemort and Ussel by 30 kilometres on 12 July after temperatures neared 40°C. The move marked the first time in the event's 123-year history that a stage was cut due to heat. Temperatures made the edition the hottest on record.
Riders stuffed ice down their jerseys during the stage. Uno-X Mobility riders performed strongly despite the conditions. Tobias Hallend Johannessen finished second in stage nine. Torstein Træen wore the yellow jersey for two stages earlier in the race.
Team coach Olav Aleksander Bu described the Norwegian method of heat adaptation used by the squad. Athletes avoid cold beverages and air conditioning, then add gradual low-intensity sessions in heat. In Norway they sometimes wear painter’s suits to limit heat loss.
Bu said athletes attach CORE sensors to track body temperature. Heat training expands plasma volume, which acts as a coolant during exercise. Most benefits appear after seven to 10 days. Without acclimatisation, performance can drop more than 30 to 40 per cent in extreme heat, Bu stated.
Active heat exposure produces stronger results than passive methods such as sauna use. Bu noted that the approach builds on research conducted ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The same protocol is now applied in cycling.
