THE Tour de France was thrown into chaos after hail and landslides decimated the race — just a day after a record heatwave.
Defending champ Geraint Thomas, as well as team-mate Egan Bernal and Yellow Jersey-wearing Julian Alaphilippe were told the race was neutralised ahead of the Alpine climb of Montee de Tignes, the final mountain ascent of the day.
Shots of mud and snow running down roads meant the final climb of the day was impassable and the stage was suspended from the top of Col de l'Iseran, the day's second-last climb, meaning 22-year-old Colombian is in the Yellow Jersey.
The decision means Bernal is in Yellow, ahead of the final day of racing, while Julian Alaphilippe is leapfrogged into second, 25sec behind, with last year's winner Thomas in third, 1min 6sec behind.
There were still 20 miles of climbing to go in the Alps, but it appears severe landslides have plummeted down the side of the mountains and on to the road.
RIDER SAFETY
The riders were told to gather in a tunnel at Val d'Isere before heading to Tignes.
And organisers declared the race had stopped "because of hail and pile of rubble on the downhill."
Alaphilippe was set to lose the Yellow Jersey today after being distanced in the mountains by Bernal and then Thomas.
But the adoring French fans were sure to be furious after the riders were denied one last chance to attack the final climb.
Saturday's brutal final mountain stage sees the race take on a 20-mile drag to the popular ski resort of Val Thorens.
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