London (AFP)
Chris Froome (Ineos) fears that the organizers of the Tour de France could not prevent spectators from gathering to watch the race, even if the race was not open to the public because of the coronavirus, he explained Sunday .
"In theory, the race can take place, but I think the big question is, will the organizers be able to stop people from going out and crowding? I think that's the main question ", launched the four-time winner of the Tour de France during a live video conversation on Instagram with former English cricketer Kevin Pietersen.
The French government has indicated that there could not be public gatherings before September, which casts doubt on the flagship event of the cycling season despite its two-month postponement to the end of August ( August 29-September 20), due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Sports, however, assured that the government announcements did not impose "either its postponement or its cancellation" but that restrictions on the presence of the public were possible.
Measures that Chris Froome therefore considers difficult to apply, even if he would accept it.
"The race can be contested and broadcast on television," said the 34-year-old British racer who has already missed the 2019 Tour due to a serious fall on the Dauphiné.
"There will not be these usual scenes that we see when we cross these tunnels of people," recognizes "Froomey" who could not taste competition until February of this year on the UAE Tour.
"It may be the version of the race that we will have to have this year. I don't know," he questions.
Despite the confinement, Froome, who recently entrusted L'Equipe dream of ending his career by having "won more Tours de France than anyone" - so more than five - continues his training at home in his residence Monegasque.
"Some days, I even do up to six hours of home trainer," he announces, explaining that his long physical rehabilitation after his fall had "prepared him in a certain way for this period of confinement".
© 2020 AFP