Tour de France: the virus is there, the caravan passes
Despite the restrictions due to Covid-19, the 2020 Tour de France is still eagerly awaited.
Thomas de Saint-Léger / RFI
Text by: Thomas-Sean de Saint Leger Follow
4 min
It is a symbol of the Tour which is not exempt from restrictions.
The famous advertising caravan parades well ahead of the race, in a reduced version: a little less than 100 vehicles are at the start this year, or 40% less than last year.
A blow for the caravanners, even if on the roads, the atmosphere is always there.
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When the team gets under way, it's a hell of a bunch.
From the hundred or so quads, station wagons or tanks decorated and signed with the name of the partner brands, so many catchy slogans and music escape in a loop.
So far, nothing new: for almost 100 years, the roaring caravan has paved the way for the Tour.
This year, due to the context, it is a little more discreet.
Half fewer vehicles, many more precautions: the hosts wear gloves to throw the "
goodies
" (the gifts) to the public and contact between caravanners is limited, a real blow: "
The average age is 25 years ,
testifies Cédric, of the Leclerc tank team (the brand).
For us, it's normally a great experience, the opportunity to meet new people, to have a lot of good times.
But this year, we can't really take advantage of all that.
For example, we usually exchange our gifts in the morning with colleagues from other brands.
Given the context, it is not recommended,
”explains the young man, who is starting his second“ Grande Boucle ”.
By the way too, the legendary caravan evenings, replaced by small drinks between teammates.
An event always eagerly awaited
What about on the road?
"
There are people, especially in the cities, but it also happens not to meet many people for several kilometers, and I do not remember having experienced that last year
", Judge Cédric.
Jérémie, the driver of his vehicle, tempers: “
We were told of a desert, but I don't see that at all.
I always see the same fans, the same beautiful decorations, the people going wild with flags all over the motorhomes.
In short, we are expected.
"
In each village crossed by the Tour de France 2020, the public is always there.
Thomas de Saint-Léger / RFI
It's hard to prove him wrong: for each village the caravan passes through, it's a round-the-world trip before, the masks and more.
The little ones, the means, the grandparents who once again become grown-ups when it is time to go and collect the gifts thrown: the France of September comes alive like that of July, with perhaps even a little more fervor: "
We're coming. to spend a weird summer, the context is heavy, so we want to think of something else
”, slips us a spectator.
“
To relax, to forget this Covid, it's perfect,
adds another.
It allows us to spend a nice little afternoon around a barbecue.
It's summer that doesn't stop
!
".
Summer in 2020, and her smiles, which failing to see each other can still be heard.
►
To read also: Tour de France: "Will you take a little gel?"
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