Tour de France spectators told not to attend end of Stage 3 amid wildfire fears - 'Exceptional measures'
Published 06/07/2026 at 11:05 GMT+1
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Spectators have been told not to attend the end of Stage 3 of the Tour de France on Monday because of wildfires in southern France, with the final stretch coming within 60 kilometres (37.3 miles) of fires in Les Angles.
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The mountain stage starts in Granollers, Spain, and moves into France, where fans have been asked to stay away for the last 40km (24.9 miles).
No change is expected to be made to the 195.9km route, despite concern over the fires.
"An exceptional fire calls for exceptional measures for the Tour," said Tour de France general director Christian Prudhomme.
"We invite the public not to come to the edge of the race or to the finish site."
A statement on the Tour de France official website read: "The exceptionally large wildfire currently raging in the Pyrenees-Orientales is requiring a massive mobilisation of wildfire-fighting resources, internal security forces, and all government agencies.
"The top priority remains the protection of people, property, and natural areas, as well as bringing the fire under control.
"In light of this, Pierre Regnault de la Mothe, prefect of the Pyrenees-Orientales, and Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, have decided to adjust the conditions for the French portion of stage 3.
"These measures aim to limit the mobilisation of public resources to what is strictly necessary, so that they can be prioritised for rescue and firefighting operations.
"The Tour de France will thus take place in an exceptional format, based on autonomous organisation and a significantly scaled-back operation, consistent with the operational constraints imposed by the situation.
"These measures reflect the plan adopted at this stage, given the current situation. As the situation remains highly changeable, further adjustments may be made."
Organisers are unable to monitor the whole route, but can prevent fans attending at the finish site.
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The wildfire is being contained in the Pyrenees-Orientales region, but around 3,000 people have been evacuated near the city of Perpignan.
"We obviously think first of all of the populations who are affected by the fire, of all those who have to move, and then we also think about the people who would be here to host the Tour," Prudhomme added.
Jonas Vingegaard currently leads the general classification ahead of Tadej Pogacar following Isaac del Toro's victory in Stage 2.
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Watch every stage of the 2026 Tour de France from start to finish live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Orla Chennaoui will once again front the live coverage, with Robbie McEwen, Matt Stephens and Adam Blythe on pundit duty throughout the race. The Breakaway heads onsite to the legendary Alpe d'Huez for the final week ahead of the double ascent on Stages 19 and 20, before a speedy transfer to Paris for the finale on Sunday, July 26.
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