Extreme Heat Challenges Tour de France Riders: Early Start Proposed

The Tour de France, cycling's most prestigious race, is facing unprecedented challenges due to extreme heat, which has become a formidable opponent for riders. Unlike in the past, simply dousing themselves with water is no longer sufficient; the heat now forces a complete rethinking of training, nutrition, and hydration strategies.

Cyclists like Luis Ángel Maté and Pablo Lastras emphasize the unprecedented nature of these conditions. Radical solutions, such as moving race start times to as early as 7 AM for future editions, are being actively debated to mitigate the impact.