Galibier replaced by Croix de Fer on stage 20 of Tour de France

With a tunnel closed between the Galibier and Alpe d'Huez, and the possibility of more landslides, organisers have to altered stage 20 of the Tour de France

Cyclists climbs the Col du Galibier in the 1986 Tour de France

(Image credit: Watson)

Tour de France organisers ASO have found themselves with a bit of a headache less than two weeks before the start of the race as the planned ascent of the Col du Galibier has been scrapped from the penultimate stage.

A landslide that occurred on April 10 has led to the Tunnel du Chambon, on the D1091 between the Galibier and Alpe d'Huez, closing for repairs.

>>> Tour de France 2015 route

As a result, ASO have had to alter the route of stage 20, which promised to be one of the highlights of the Tour - a 110km sprint over the Telegraphe and Galibier, finishing on Alpe d'Huez.

The stage will still depart from Modane, but will spend more time in the Maurienne valley before heading up the Col de la Croix de Fer, down towards Bourg-d'Oisans before the ascent of Alpe d'Huez.

TDF15_ET20_carte_etape_v4

In May, Tour route director Thierry Gouvenou was confident the situation would be resolved by July 25, but Jean-Piere Barbier of L'Isere council told L'Equipe that the ascent of the Galibier was  in doubt.

>>> Your guide to the 2015 Tour de France in Utrecht (video)

With few ways to traverse the mountains in the Isere and Savoie regions the riders now face another ascent of the Col de la Croix de Fer, which already features on stage 19.

TDF15_ETAP_20_PROFIL

Tour de France 2015 stage 20 profile

 Take a look at the Tour de France 2015 route

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.