Landslip risk hits last Tour climb

THE PENULTIMATE stage of this year's Tour de France is likely to have to change its route because of the risk of a massive landslide.

The last mountain stage, finishing at L'Alpe d'Huez, is the most popular of the Tour - coming just before the parade finale in Paris.

However, the D1091 between Grenoble and Briançon, about 30km before the last big climb of the tournament, has been closed since April because of structural problems in the Tunnel du Chambon.

The tunnel was due to reopen at the end of this month and this has now been delayed until July 20, just five days before the cyclists are due to use it.

Geologists are keeping a close eye on the works and are warning of the risk of a 250,000-tonne landslide above the tunnel in the coming weeks. Isère departmental council is building a temporary road around the danger area but this will take four months to complete.

The closure means organisers are likely to have to remove the Col du Galibier from the 110km stage. At 2,645 metres, Galibier was set to the highest planned ascent this year. But it is impossible to reach L'Alpe d'Huez from Galibier without taking the blocked road.

Jean-Pierre Barbier, head of the Isère council, told L'Equipe newspaper: "The stage isn't at risk and will still finish at L'Alpe d'Huez, but via which way is not yet clear."

Organisers have yet to confirm any changes, but it is reported that the Galibier climb will be replaced by either the Col du Glandon or the Col de la Croix-de-Fer.

The Tour de France begins in the Dutch town of Utrecht on July 4. The Champs-Elysées finish is on July 26, with the Alpe d'Huez stage the day before.