Earpiece ban confirmed

LIMOGES, France — Tour de France organizers confirmed their decision to ban all means of electronic communication between riders and their sports directors for today’s 10th stage, a 120.9-mile ride from Limoges to Issoudun, despite the opposition of a majority of the teams.

During that stage, press and VIP vehicles will have limited access to the peloton in an effort to facilitate the sports directors’ work, Tour organizers said in a statement.

The 13th stage between Vittel and Colmar is also scheduled to be ridden without earpieces.

Tour organizers say banning the radios for two stages could inject drama into the race, forcing riders to devise tactics on their own. Many riders have criticized a measure they see as dangerous.