Tour de France shortens Stage 19 to avoid diseased cows

Tour de France organizers announced that Friday's Stage 19 has been rerouted and shortened to avoid a herd of diseased cattle.

Originally scheduled to be a 129.9-kilometer ride through the mountains from Albertville to La Plagne, Stage 19 will now be 95 kilometers. It also eliminates a pair of classified climbs from what was to be a more grueling mountain stage with five planned categorized climbs.

The climbs including Cote d'Hery-sur-Ugine and Col des Saisies have been eliminated after an outbreak of "contagious nodular dermatitis" was discovered in a herd of cows in the Col des Saisies, leading to a culling of the animals.

Cyclists will begin one hour later at 2:30 p.m. local time and ride seven miles from Albertville. They will then bypass the first of two climbs and rejoin the original route near Beaufort.

"The discovery of an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis affecting cattle in a herd located specifically in the Col des Saisies has necessitated the culling of the animals," Tour organizers ASO said in a statement Thursday evening.

"In light of the distress experienced by the affected farmers and in order to preserve the smooth running of the race, it has been decided, in agreement with the relevant authorities, to modify the route of Stage 19 (Albertville-La Plagne) and to avoid the ascent to the col des Saisies."

Three-time winner and defending champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia holds a 4:26 lead ahead of rival Jonas Vingegaard with the 21-stage competition due to conclude in Paris on Sunday.

--Field Level Media