Stage 19 of the Tour de France had to be reduced by 35km on Friday.
Event organisers were forced to change the route due to a herd of diseased cows on the Col des Saisies.
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A herd of diseased cows forced stage 19 of the Tour de France to be re-routedCredit: Getty
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The stage was reduced in length from 130km to 95kmCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
As a result, the stage was reduced in length from 130km to 95km just hours before the scheduled start time.
A statement from organisers ASO read: “The discovery of an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis affecting cattle in a herd located specifically in the Col des Saisies has necessitated the culling of the animals.
“In light of the distress experienced by the affected farmers and in order to preserve the smooth running of the race, it has been decided to modify the route and avoid the ascent to the Col des Saisies.”
The start time for stage 19, the final mountain stage of this year’s Tour, was pushed back to 1.30pm BST in Albertville.
Meanwhile, two of the five scheduled climbs were also removed from the route.
Riders skipped both Cote d’Hery-sur-Ugine and Col de Saisies in the Alps.
The new route then sees them re-join the original stage layout near Beaufort before heading towards La Plagne.
Just two more stages remain after Friday’s action, with the Tour set to end with stage 21 on Sunday.
Saturday will see riders operate a route dominated by hills between Nantua and Pontarlier.
The race will then conclude along the Champs-Elysses in Paris the following day.
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Thursday’s stage is the final mountain stage of this year’s TourCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Reigning champion Tadej Pogacar is closing in on a fourth yellow jerseyCredit: Shutterstock EditorialWho is leading the Tour de France?
Following stage 18 on Thursday, defending champion Tadej Pogacar remains on course for victory.
The three-time winner held a lead of four minutes and 26 seconds after the first of the two mountain stages.
Pogacar has picked up four stage victories during this year’s Tour to hold the yellow jersey.
The Slovenian was also in possession of the polka dot jersey as the King of the Mountains heading into stage 19.
Jonas Vingegaard remained his nearest challenger going into Friday.
Oscar Onley is the leading British contender with three stages remaining.
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Oscar Onley is the leading British rider in fourth place after 18 stagesCredit: AFPCycling star escapes horror crash with minor injuries – and yellow jacket
The 22-year-old sat fourth in the general classification after Thursday, 11 minutes and 23 seconds behind Pogacar.
Onley finished 39th last year in his first Tour de France appearance.