Galibier replaced by Croix de Fer on stage 20 of Tour de France
With a tunnel closed between the Galibier and Alpe d'Huez, and the possibility of more landslides, organisers have to altered stage 20 of the Tour de France
Tour de France organisers ASO have found themselves with a bit of a headache less than two weeks before the start of the race as the planned ascent of the Col du Galibier has been scrapped from the penultimate stage.
A landslide that occurred on April 10 has led to the Tunnel du Chambon, on the D1091 between the Galibier and Alpe d'Huez, closing for repairs.
As a result, ASO have had to alter the route of stage 20, which promised to be one of the highlights of the Tour - a 110km sprint over the Telegraphe and Galibier, finishing on Alpe d'Huez.
The stage will still depart from Modane, but will spend more time in the Maurienne valley before heading up the Col de la Croix de Fer, down towards Bourg-d'Oisans before the ascent of Alpe d'Huez.
In May, Tour route director Thierry Gouvenou was confident the situation would be resolved by July 25, but Jean-Piere Barbier of L'Isere council told L'Equipe that the ascent of the Galibier was in doubt.
>>> Your guide to the 2015 Tour de France in Utrecht (video)
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
With few ways to traverse the mountains in the Isere and Savoie regions the riders now face another ascent of the Col de la Croix de Fer, which already features on stage 19.
Take a look at the Tour de France 2015 route
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Castelli Squall Shell review: no excuses for not carrying a waterproof jacket
Lightweight, waterproof and with a great fit, there is a lot to like about Castelli's Squall Shell and it is great value too
By Tim Russon Published
-
2,500 children's bikes recalled due to crank failures
Customers advised to "immediately" stop using bikes following one report of injury
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tour de France 'hooliganism' must stop, says UCI president Brian Cookson
UCI president Brian Cookson urges roadside fans to behave themselves during cycling events, after incidents of riders being spat at and punched during Tour de France
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Five riders who didn't live up to expectations at the Tour de France
Expectations are high for many riders at the Tour de France, but not all of them can succeed in meeting them. Here are five who weren't at the top of their game
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
Five words to describe each team's Tour de France performance
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
12 strange things from the 2015 Tour de France
It's a lot more than just bike racing
By Cycling Weekly Published
-
35 amazing photos of the 2015 Tour de France
We collect together some of the most striking images of the 2015 Tour de France by photographer Yuzuru Sunada
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Five riders who made their name at the 2015 Tour de France
The usual suspects dominated the general classification at the Tour de France, but a number of riders sprung from nowhere to put in standout performances. Here are five that caught our eye:
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
Team Sky car hit and heckled by fans as it goes up Alpe d'Huez (video)
Team Sky and their riders copped a fair bit of flak over the course of the three weeks of the Tour de France, with things seemingly coming to a head on stage 20 as the riders raced up Alpe d'Huez.
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
Peter Sagan pulls out another Tour de France photobomb (video)
Having got in on an interview Vincenzo Nibali after stage five, Peter Sagan was back to his antics in Paris after stage 21 of the Tour de France
By Stuart Clarke Published