disarray at the Col des Saisies, deprived of Tour de France

Hundreds of spectators who came to see the Peloton du Tour de France 2025 in the Col des Saisies had to turn back this Friday, July 25. They welcomed the decision to modify the journey of the 19th stage connecting Albertville and La Plagne with “disappointment” but “understanding”.

It is a blow on the heads of the spectators. The Prefecture of Savoy and ASO, organizer of the Tour de France, made the decision to modify the layout of the 19th stage connecting Albertville to La Plagne due to the risk of propagation of contagious nodular dermatosis which rages in the Beaufortain sector. A shortened step which especially dodges the Col des Saisies where many spectators had gathered for several days.

This Friday morning, in the climb of the collar, the last motorhomes fold luggage. Clément Parizot, who came from Lille (North), with part of his family arriving from Gap (Hautes-Alpes) puts the last cases, “disgusté “, before hitting the road. But he puts perspective vis-à-vis farmers who are going through a difficult period with the nodular dermatosis epidemic which strikes their farms.

“It’s normal“, Accepts Clément who learned of this route modified in the night. The family thus continues on its way”Direction Jura“This time not to miss the 20th stage between Nantua and Pontarlier.

Over the turn, the caravans and motorhomes have disappeared. Some highlights have taken the option of heading to the Cormet de Roselend and the climb of La Plagne to see the peloton. But for a large number of spectators, the awakening was more difficult.

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The numerous spectators who had planned to attend the passage of the 19th stage of the Tour de France at the Col des Enteries left the premises.

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© France 3 Alpes

Arrived the day before around 9 p.m. from the Gard, Jean-Claude Coco and his family found themselves somewhat alone in the world at daybreak. “”We get up this morning, and the neighborhood is empty: more caravans, more cars, nothing at all“, He says. It was only 8 am that they learned of the information.”We were very very disappointed. Now we have put our luggage and we go away. We go home“He says, closing his door.

Despite this, the family keeps a smile and says to itself “understanding“In view of the epidemiological situation.”Between farmers and the Tour de France, the heart is shared“, Smoked Jean-Claude Coco before turning back.

The disarray of farmers, Christophe Rambaud, the mayor (diverse) of Crest-Voland, “sharing“But this Friday, July 25, he says to himself”scandalized and disgusted“By the decision taken by ASO and the Prefecture of Savoy. After several weeks, even months of work, the town was happy to welcome the Tour de France.

Between 15 000 et 20 000 euros were invested to provide entertainment with, in particular, a refreshment bar and a giant screen installed in the heart of the village. “”This decision is not made on a health or scientific logic. It is only the result of a pressure exerted on the prefecture with the threat of blocking the Tour de France by the farmers “, Mistigerates the councilor.

In order not to waste its investment and the time spent by the municipal teams, the animations are maintained. And the fresco in tribute to the cyclist Gino Mäder, who died on the Tour of Switzerland in 2023, which was to be inaugurated in the presence of the director of the Grande Boucle Christian Prudhomme, will still be.

“We brought in the Mäder family to pay tribute to this young runner. We had to do it between the passage of the caravan and the passage of the Tour. […] It’s a huge disappointment“, deplores Christophe Rambaud who still emphasizes that if the Tour will soon go back to his town, Crest-Voland”will welcome him with pleasure“.

A few kilometers away, Geneviève and Georges are also stunned. Arrived from Ardèche on Monday, they had parked their caravan in one of the turns of the seizure pass to observe the passage of the runners. “”Yesterday, around 7 p.m., the gendarmes came and told us that we had to go. There were about 150 motorhomes. We were a bit reluctant, we left in the last and we settled below“, Says Georges.

And finally, in the evening, the cleaver fell. The 19th stage will not go through the Col des Entries. The new learned this morning, the Ardéchois couple did not hide their “disappointment“And his”anger“They who had made the trip expressly for this stage are forced to go home, while waiting for reimbursement of their location.”We paid 44 euros, it’s 18 euros per night“, they underline.

The concern and the palpable stress of farmers make us think that we have not yet measured the dangerousness of this virus.

Xavier Desmaret, mayor of Hauteluce

But Georges and Geneviève also want to display their support for farmers, as is the mayor of Hauteluce where a dermatosis home was detected in the days preceding the arrival of the Tour de France in the Alps.

“Two young farmers will see tomorrow morning, unfortunately, their flock euthanized. We had a meeting yesterday with the mayors of Beaufortain and the agricultural profession. The concern and the palpable stress of farmers make us think that we have not yet measured the dangerousness of this virus “, Free Xavier Definret.

The councilor regrets that this decision is harmful and counts on “solidarity“Tourism and agriculture sectors, both”Pillars of the town“, To recover from this episode.

Tour de France 2025

Of July 5
au July 27, 2025