​Tadej Pogacar has urged a complete revamp of the cycling calendar to steer clear of extreme heat, arguing that the current thermal conditions are wreaking havoc at the Tour de France. He even proposed removing racing from the hottest summer months altogether, suggesting a radical reorganization of the season. In this year’s Tour, stage nine from Malemort to Ussel was shortened by 30 kilometers due to a red heatwave alert in the Correze department of France. The heat has not fallen below 30 degrees Celsius, with peak temperatures reaching around 40 degrees on various days of the race, which began in Barcelona and then moved into France for the opening week. Weather woes have already disrupted multiple stages; for instance, stage three in the Pyrenees was run without the publicity caravan, and spectators were banned from the roadside due to nearby wildfires.
Pogacar, who is both the two-time defending champion and the current general classification leader, said the sport must adapt to increasingly hot conditions. He expressed a strong opinion about changing the calendar, noting: “In my opinion it’s a big topic to discuss, but if I had the power I would change all the calendar and not race in July and August in hot places. I’d do a completely different calendar, but it’s not something I can do.” He added that perhaps the solution lies in starting stages earlier: “Maybe the next step is to start the stages earlier. Yesterday there was a proposal to start at 10, but that doesn’t change anything because you finish in the heat. You need to start at eight or nine, or even before. It’s a little bit difficult, but I think the body can adapt to waking up at five o’clock in the morning and doing a stage at eight. But I think I’ve said enough.”
The Professional Cyclists Association (CPA), the riders’ union, echoed Pogacar’s concerns, urging that summer start times must evolve to protect athlete health and calling for more decisive measures to safeguard riders’ well-being. Tim Merlier, who clinched stage eight, described the ongoing heat as a constant challenge: “We have now had one week of racing, always in 35 degrees. It’s a fight to have water, ice and drinks between the cars, so I think shortening the stage is a good idea. It’s only my third Tour, but every day has been above 35 degrees and I’m not used to it.” He added that combating the heat is exhausting and that the reduced stage length could help.
Australian rider Luke Durbridge, who first rode the Tour in 2014, recalled earlier Tours where road surfaces felt molten: “I do remember certain days in the Tour de France where the roads have been melting. We’ve always had hot Tours de France, but this has been quite exceptional because it’s been so consistent.” Beyond the heat, Durbridge noted that the sport’s rising pace and intensity contribute to the discomfort, stressing, “There are no easy days.”
The debate over heat management comes amid broader concerns about rider safety and performance in an era of climate volatility. Pogacar’s remarks reflect a growing call within cycling circles for structural changes to accommodate hotter, longer summers, including potential shifts in start times, race duration, and even the timing of the Grand Tours themselves. As the 2024 Tour de France progresses, calls for reforms are likely to intensify, with athletes, teams, and the CPA pressing for practical measures that could reduce health risks while preserving the sport’s competitive integrity.
In summary, Pogacar has advocated for a fundamental overhaul of the cycling calendar to avoid filming in extreme temperatures and to consider not racing in the hottest months. His stance, echoed by the CPA, underscores a broader conversation about how elite cycling can adapt to a warmer, more intense racing environment while prioritizing rider health and safety.