The climate crisis threatens competitions such as the Tour de France, according to a study that analyzed 50 editions of the cycling race

Twelve years ago, in 2014, Frank Dancevic collapsed while playing in the Australian Open. In this year's competition, we also saw several matches suspended and roofs closed. But what about outdoor sports?

The study indicates that Tour de France cyclists are at increasing risk and have so far been “lucky” to escape. That is, although the summer heat is becoming more and more intense, the key days of the Tour have not coincided with the worst days of the hottest hours. It would be extremely naive, and irresponsible, to think that the Tour will continue to escape climate change and that sooner or later we will begin to see riders under extreme heat waves.

The problem with climate change is not so much the heat, but the lack of adaptation. We know that the desirable reduction in emissions is, at present, a pipe dream, and therefore we must begin to adapt now. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, for example, was held in November to avoid the summer heat. And we may see similar measures being taken in more and more sports. Apart from changing the dates, the locations can also be rethought, so that the hottest days are spent at higher altitudes.

I find the article particularly interesting because of the subject matter it addresses and the outlook (albeit future) it presents. The analysis of the last 50 years is very interesting because it shows an upward trend; the highest temperatures have occurred since 2018, and the situation is expected to worsen. In addition, it not only analyses temperature, which is one of the factors that affects heat stress, but also analyses other factors such as humidity and air speed, which can cause athletes to suffer much more at a given temperature.

We all know that global warming is a reality and that summer temperatures are becoming increasingly extreme. This study is interesting because it shows this situation with data: if the trend continues, it will become increasingly common for cyclists to face temperatures that can put not only their performance but also their health at risk. Perhaps the context is not yet a cause for great concern in general, except in certain specific stages, but who knows if in a few decades' time these extreme temperatures will be the norm (as has already happened in other events such as the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar). In fact, we have already seen at the last Olympic Games in Paris that heat was a major factor in many events. It also highlights the importance of cyclists acclimatising properly to high temperatures even weeks before competing.

[Regarding limitations] Rather than limitations of the study, there are certain considerations. The first is that, for a given temperature, the type of sport practised can influence heat stress. Just as a marathon at midday in July in France would be practically unthinkable or would pose a great risk to athletes, in cycling, sweat rates are usually somewhat lower due to the speed of the cyclists themselves. This does not detract from the relevance of the study's findings, but it is something to bear in mind when considering the dangers of conducting a test. On the other hand, studies such as this one can be used to try to predict the most suitable dates and times for competitions, although these are likely to be organisational decisions that can vary greatly from one week to the next depending on the weather forecast.