The Tour de France will run the full 205km from Rodez to Carcassonne on Sunday, despite forecasts of temperatures in southwest France ranging from 38-40°C.

Professional cycling has an extreme weather protocol whereby races are cut or cancelled due to extreme weather, but the Tour de France peloton has embraced racing in extreme heat. [The CPA (Cyclistes Professionnels Associés) riders' association and Tour de France representative Pascal Chanture have been in contact with riders, Tour de France organizers, UCI referees, and team managers to find some solutions to help the riders. He is looking for some solutions to help the riders.

The CPA has confirmed that feeding will be allowed from KM 0 until 10km from the finish. Athletes may throw bidons to spectators without risk of fines as long as it is done safely. The time limit was extended to 20% of the stage time.

Race organizers had hoped to set up water sprinklers along the stage to take away water from the riders, but this was cancelled due to water shortage rules in the stage area.

Local authorities are expected to sprinkle water on the road surface at key points to try to cool the surface.

"Temperatures will continue to rise on Sunday, often near 40°C, especially in the southwest," said the official French weather alert, with an orange heat wave warning issued for one-third of the 101 French departments.

A red warning (heat with adverse health effects) has not yet been issued.

"It will be the same for everyone," Taddei Pogachar said of racing in the heat before a recent Alpine stage,

"I don't think anyone likes to race for five hours in 40 degrees [heat].

Pogachar decided to wear an ice vest when signing in and lining up before the stage began. He also puts ice in his socks before the start and puts an ice pack on his neck during the stage.

The final stage of the Tour travels from the Alps through the Occitanie region to the Pyrenees.

Fortunately for the riders, the worst of the heatwave could hit southwestern France on Monday's third rest day.

Temperatures are expected to drop to 32°C during Tuesday's 178.5-km stage from Carcassonne to Foix at the foot of the Pyrenees.