Reportage
The Tour postcard: heat stroke on riders and workers
The winner of the stage, Canadian Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech), pours water on his neck during this 16th stage between Carcassonne to Foix, July 19, 2022. It was 39 degrees in Carcassonne this that day.
REUTERS - GONZALO FUENTES
Text by: Alexis Bedu Follow
2 mins
Scorching heat hits the Tour de France.
Not a drop of rain since the runners have been in France.
The Tour is obliged to water certain sections of the roads to prevent the tar from melting, and the heat is also difficult for all the seasonal workers in charge of safety and entertainment.
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From our special correspondent on the roads of the Tour in Saint-Gaudens,
When he comes to town, all the fans want to see him.
The lion, mascot of a partner bank in the Tour's yellow jersey, puts on a show at the finish line.
"
Yellow reflects the sun well
", even if at 40 degrees, Louis Delporte, a 22-year-old young man bundled up under a thick mane, it's more complicated: "
I sweat a lot, I'm losing weight.
But I hydrate well, so everything is fine.
Several hours in the mascot, I'm not sure I'll be there to talk to you, but for now, five minutes, ten minutes is more than enough.
»
Louis Delporte under his mascot, which he removes every five to ten minutes to avoid heatstroke, July 19, 2022. © Alexis Bédu - RFI
The Tour has never been so hot, believes André Bancala, coordinator for the departments of France: “
I have been taking the temperature three times a day for more than 20 years.
When we apply the statistics and compile all these numbers, we realize that the air temperature has increased, by between one degree five and one degree seven, and the temperature of the ground by more than four degrees .
»
Along the roads, in the landscape, drought is everywhere: “
The Tour route follows roads that sometimes run along dams and water reservoirs.
And we see the traces along the dam, along the shores of the artificial lakes, and we realize that two, three, five, ten meters of water are missing.
So, yes, there is a shortage of water, there is a drought which is effective.
Let's hope for a little more freshness first, and then a little more rain.
»
Like an incantation here: rain, yes, but not too big a storm that could cause mudslides.
Mudslides, a bad memory.
In 2019, in the Alps, a stage was interrupted because of them.
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Also to be found: the previous postcards of the Tour de France
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Tour de France 2022
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