INTERVIEW
Expected each year by millions of enthusiasts, the Grande Boucle will take place this year under very specific conditions, due to the coronavirus epidemic. While usually held in July, the Tour de France has been postponed to August 29 and will last until September 20. But the organization of the race, as well as its progress, will obviously remain very affected by the health situation.
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From a sporting point of view, first of all, will the riders all be in optimal condition for one of the most important races of the season? Their preparation was "very disturbed", recalls in Culture Media Axel May, journalist in the sports service of Europe 1, referring in particular to the stop of Paris-Nice in March, while the one-week race generally constitutes a crucial step in the preparation of the riders for the Tour.
"Lots of falls in different events"
In addition, during confinement, the runners could not train normally while riding outdoors, due to strict travel restrictions. "They did the home trainer, which is not always very pleasant (...) and did not know when it was going to resume," says Axel May. "It's been very disrupted as a season, and it still is."
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And this lack of preparation was felt from the start, according to the journalist from Europe 1. "The season started in early August, and we saw a lot of big crashes in different events, which is perhaps linked to the fact that they were like lions in a cage, that as soon as they were released, they probably started too quickly ", explains Axel May, for whom" the lack of repetition of the races undoubtedly played a role. And to anticipate: "At the start of the Tour, I wouldn't be surprised if we had more falls than in other years", the start of the three-week race being "still quite nervous ".
The fear of a case within the peloton
Beyond the uncertain form of the riders, does the still active circulation of the coronavirus on the territory jeopardize the smooth running of the cycling race? This tour "is perilous", recognizes Axel May, noting that "the organizer must ask himself a lot of questions". The director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme, also called on Wednesday roadside spectators to wear a mask, and unveiled a battery of precautionary measures. The presentation of the teams, on August 27, will thus be in the presence of a maximum of 1,750 people seated. In addition, a Covid cell of 15 people will be on deck, in conjunction with the Regional Health Agencies (ARS). A mobile screening laboratory will be present throughout the Tour, "with results known within two hours maximum".
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The runners will in particular be subjected to two tests before the start as well as each day of rest. "Bubbles" will be set up, for example for the teams and their management, to avoid contact with outsiders as much as possible. The protocol of the finish podium will be reduced to the strict minimum.
But the most feared scenario obviously remains that a case of coronavirus is detected within the peloton. "Let's imagine that the yellow jersey has the virus, it will be excluded from the Tour", fears Axel May. "There will be a lot of suspense and questions," concludes the journalist.