In a scathing rebuke of the Tour de France organizers, former cycling champion Lance Armstrong has criticized the decision to hold the iconic race in scorching temperatures, calling it “inhumane” and a threat to the health and safety of the riders.

Armstrong’s comments come in the wake of the brutally hot conditions experienced by the peloton during Saturday’s stage, where temperatures soared to a sweltering 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in the Italian sun.

Brutal Conditions Take a Toll

Many riders struggled to cope with the extreme heat, with some reporting symptoms of heat exhaustion and dehydration. The grueling conditions took a significant toll on the athletes, who are already pushing their bodies to the limit in one of the most demanding sporting events in the world.

“That’s not healthy, it’s inhumane,” Armstrong said in a series of tweets. “May I remind everyone that the Tour de France is the toughest sporting event in the world? In Saturday’s stage, it was almost forty degrees for the first time this season, and the riders were suffering.”

 Calls for Change Fall on Deaf Ears

Armstrong, who won the Tour de France a record seven times (later stripped due to doping), has been a vocal advocate for rider safety and has called on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body of professional cycling, to implement changes to protect the athletes.

However, his pleas have largely fallen on deaf ears, with the UCI maintaining that the race will continue as scheduled, despite the extreme weather conditions.

“I don’t care what the UCI says, it’s inhumane to subject these riders to such brutal heat,” Armstrong said. “They are human beings, not machines, and their health and well-being should be the top priority.”

 Concerns for Rider Safety

Armstrong’s concerns are shared by many in the cycling community, who worry that the extreme heat could lead to serious health consequences for the riders.

“Heat stroke, dehydration, and muscle cramps are just a few of the dangers these riders face in these conditions,” said Dr. Abigail Collins, a sports medicine specialist. “If the heat continues, we could see a significant number of riders dropping out of the race due to illness or injury.”

The Dilemma of Balancing Safety and Tradition

The Tour de France is a beloved institution with a rich history and tradition, and many fans are reluctant to see any changes made to the race format or schedule. However, Armstrong argues that the health and safety of the riders should be the top priority, even if it means making difficult decisions.

“I know the Tour is a tradition, and people love the spectacle of it all,” Armstrong said. “But at the end of the day, these are human beings risking their lives out there. We can’t just ignore the dangers for the sake of tradition.”

The Need for Proactive Measures

Armstrong believes that the UCI and Tour de France organizers need to take proactive measures to protect the riders, such as adjusting start times, shortening stages, or even postponing the race to cooler months.

“They need to be more proactive in addressing these issues,” Armstrong said. “Waiting until a rider collapses from heat exhaustion is not a solution. They need to be ahead of the curve and put the riders’ safety first.”

 The Legacy of Lance Armstrong

Despite the controversy surrounding his doping scandal, Armstrong remains a respected figure in the cycling world, and his voice carries significant weight. Many believe that his criticism of the Tour de France’s handling of the heat issue could be a catalyst for change.

“Lance has been through a lot, but he still cares deeply about the sport and the riders,” said former teammate George Hincapie. “If anyone can get the UCI to listen, it’s him.”

The Future of the Tour de France

As the Tour de France continues, the debate over rider safety and the impact of climate change on the sport will only intensify. Armstrong and others believe that the time for action is now, before a tragedy occurs.

“We can’t keep ignoring these issues,” Armstrong said. “The health and safety of the riders should be the top priority, no matter what. It’s time for the UCI and the Tour de France to step up and do the right thing.”