Heatwave cuts Route d'Occitanie stage to just 36km

LISLE JOURDAIN FRANCE JUNE 16 Stage winner Arnaud Demare of France and Team Groupama FDJ refreshes himself at finish line during the 46th La Route dOccitanie La Depeche du Midi 2022 Stage 1 a 1744km stage from Smac to LIsle Jourdain RDO2022 on June 16 2022 in LIsle Jourdain France Photo by Dario BelingheriGetty Images
(Image credit: Getty Images)

COVID-19 isn't the only thing derailing races this week. The heatwave that has struck Europe has seen the second stage of La Route d'Occitanie to just 36km. 

Riders have suffered in the heat at races in the past week, at the Tour de Suisse and the Tour of Slovenia, with some unable to perform at their best and others unable to race on, through heatstroke and dehydration. The risk to riders at La Route d'Occitanie, which takes place in the hottest south-western region of France, was considered too great on Friday. 

Patrick Fletcher

Patrick is a freelance sports writer and editor. He’s an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor’s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish). Patrick worked full-time at Cyclingnews for eight years between 2015 and 2023, latterly as Deputy Editor.