The peloton on Place de la Concorde during the 21st and final stage of the Tour de France cycling race, in Paris, France, on July 27, 2025. MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP
Tour de France organizers decided to "neutralize" the race on its final stage on Sunday, July 27, because of fears riders would be at risk on the rain-slicked cobbles of Montmartre. The decision to freeze the times with about 50 kilometers left to go takes away the competitive element of the final stage.
The route takes in three circuits around the Sacré-Cœur basilica for the first time this year after organizers introduced the change following the success of the road races at last year's Paris Olympics, which were attended by huge crowds.
But as tens of thousands of people gathered at the tourist hotspot this year to watch the stage, light rain began to fall around 90 minutes before the riders were due to arrive and organizers decided to "neutralize" the times. Organizers hoped to introduce an element of risk by including the three circuits around the tight bends and cobbled streets of Montmartre.
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