Tour de France Stage Altered Amid Livestock Disease: Who Decides at What Cost?

In a surprising twist during this year’s Tour de France, authorities abruptly cut short the grueling 19th stage after an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis forced the culling of cows near a key mountain pass. The race route from Albertville to La Plagne was slashed from nearly 130 kilometers to just over 93, erasing two critical climbs, including the challenging Col des Saisies. This sudden decision, justified by protecting local breeders and maintaining race calm, masks a deeper issue: how government and race organizers prioritize disease control over sport and economic vitality without transparent engagement with affected stakeholders. In an...