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Today's Tour de France stage cut short due to high winds

Thursday stage from Montpellier to the top of Mont Ventoux looked set to be one of the key days o...



Today's Tour de France sta...
Golf

Today's Tour de France stage cut short due to high winds

Thursday stage from Montpellier to the top of Mont Ventoux looked set to be one of the key days of the Tour de France, but high winds have caused a change in plan.

"The forecast is for winds of over 100 kilometres per hour and cold weather. The safety of riders and spectators will be guaranteed", Christian Prudhomme, the race director revealed after Wednesday's stage.

Only six kilometres will be taken off the stage, with the finish line coming at Chalet Reynard. Speaking after Stage 11, Dan Martin admitted to CyclingNews.com that cutting the stage short would not be a benefit to many of the General Classification contendors.

"I'd say the hardest part of Mont Ventoux is the bit up to Chalet Reynard and the wind could kind of negate the racing beyond that. Though it would be a pity not to go up to the iconic finish because that's the finish we all dream of winning on".

Reigning champion Chris Froome, was the winner of the stage in 2013 to the top of Ventoux. That was the last time the mountain was used in the race. He leads the race by 28 seconds.

Winds over 100km/hr near the top of the mountain making racing almost impossible, with cyclists finding it very difficult to stay on their bikes.

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