The Tende tunnel will be closed from Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 10 a.m. to Monday, August 25, 2025, at 6 a.m. This measure has been taken due to the passage of the Vuelta, a major international cycling race that will make a stop in Limone-Piemonte.
This weekend of August 24, 2025, the Tende tunnel will be inaccessible. The reason is both sporting and logistical. The Vuelta, one of the three major cycling tours in the world, will exceptionally start from Italy this year. The second stage will end in Limone-Piemonte, a town located just across the border.
To ensure the smooth running of the competition, the Department of Alpes-Maritimes and the Prefecture of Alpes-Maritimes have announced the complete closure of the tunnel from 10 a.m. this Sunday, August 24, 2025. Traffic will resume the next day, Monday, August 25, at 6 a.m. The last passage from Italy to France is scheduled for Sunday at 9:30 a.m., and the last passage from France to Italy at 9:45 a.m.
The authorities remind that this temporary measure is primarily for safety. The objective is obviously to protect the riders, spectators, and road users. While the Vuelta attracts fewer spectators than the Tour de France, French cycling fans are expected to be present along the roads, alongside the tifosi, whose reputation for enthusiastic support is well-known.
Safety and Constraints for Users
The closure of such a route will have direct consequences for motorists, valley residents, and cross-border workers. The Tende tunnel is indeed a crucial passage point between the Alpes-Maritimes and Piedmont. Long closed for construction, it reopened at the start of the summer after 12 years of work. It is therefore a significant symbol for this major cycling race to pass through it.
The arrangement seeks to avoid any risks related to the intersection between the race and traffic. The choice of a complete road closure is explained by the particular configuration of the tunnel, which is narrow and difficult to secure in the event of coexistence between vehicles and riders.
For local residents, the impact will result in longer journeys. Alternative routes are limited. The closure comes during the peak summer period when traffic is heavy. Authorities are urging users to plan their trips in advance.
The Vuelta attracts a large audience each year and receives international media coverage. This enthusiasm entails strong organizational constraints. “This measure is essential for the smooth running of the event and to secure the entire arrangement,” emphasizes the department.
An Internationally Significant Sporting Event
The choice of an Italian start illustrates the growing openness of major cycling tours beyond their national borders. After the Giro in Hungary or the Tour de France in Denmark, the Vuelta will start from Piedmont. This cross-border cooperation positions the Tende tunnel and the valley in the international sporting spotlight, even though it implies temporary disruptions.
For local communities, this event also represents a showcase. It highlights a border region that is still dealing with the aftermath of the collapse of several road infrastructures during storm Alex in 2020. Hosting a stage of the Vuelta seems a sign of normalization and a resumption of activity in the area.
The closure of the Tende tunnel on August 24 and 25 will therefore be an essential step to allow the competition to take place in good conditions. Motorists will have to contend with these constraints. The riders, on the other hand, will set off towards Limone-Piemonte under high security. French supporters are expected to cheer on the French riders who will attempt to shine on the slopes of this second-category pass (9.8 km at 5.1%). Unfortunately, the Maralpins riders, Lenny Martinez and Clรฉment Champoussin will not be part of the race. The INEOS team has not yet confirmed its start list but could possibly select the Monegasque Victor Langellotti, recently a career winner in the Tour of Poland.
