Tour de France: the race against the virus

Frenchman Nans Peters (Ag2r La Mondiale) during the 8th stage of the Tour de France, between Cazeres-sur-Garonne and Loudenvielle, September 5, 2020. Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP

Text by: Thomas-Sean de Saint Leger Follow

4 min

Under the eyes of Prime Minister Jean Castex, Frenchman Nans Peters (Ag2r La Mondiale) won this Saturday, September 5, in Loudenvielle, the 8th stage of the Tour de France.

A race that takes place in a tense climate due to the deterioration of the health situation.

For now, the progression of the virus is not hampering that of the Grande Boucle, but caution remains in order.

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A French victory, thanks to Nans Peters (AG2R La Mondiale), the sun, the Pyrenees in the background: Prime Minister Jean Castex has chosen his stage well.

In Loudenvielle, like almost everywhere on the Tour route, summer has not yet left, nor has the virus.

Mask and restrictions are there to remind, the balance is precarious: " 

Living with the virus is the doctrine of France,"

recalls the head of government, interviewed at the arrival of the stage.

We are careful but life takes over, the Grande Boucle takes place, the party continues and I am very happy with what I saw this afternoon in my beautiful Pyrenees

 ”.

Tour de France director Christian Purd'homme and Prime Minister Jean Castex between Cazeres-sur-Garonne and Loudenvielle, September 5, 2020. Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP

It is true that here, and generally everywhere else since the start, precautions are taken.

Masked public,

distribution of frost

, closed-door arrival areas, gauge in stopover towns: the event is very supervised.

Gatherings that are sometimes difficult to master

Very supervised, too much or not enough, the points of view differ.

Anyway, it is difficult to control a free show that goes on in the towns, in the villages, in front of the door of thousands of French people.

It is difficult to prevent crowds when a two-stage show (caravans, then runners) brightens up the end of summer.

Nursing assistant at the Nîmes University Hospital and in great demand during the first wave of Covid, Isabelle was invited via Operation Rest for heroes to follow a stage of the Tour in the caravan.

The experience pleased her, what she saw a little less: " 

After what we experienced in our services, we, the caregivers, have become very observant

 ", explains this woman of about forty. years, came with her husband.

“ 

On the course, I saw quite a few places with large groupings, but when it does, and it is sometimes also, I prefer not to think about what can happen because it gives me the lump in the stomach.

 “It will not reassure Isabelle, but the course must cross, in the coming days, several areas classified as high or moderate vigilance.

So, will the Great Loop be fully closed?

For the moment no contrary sign, but Paris is still far ...

The joy of the teammates of Nans #Peters and the Ag2r staff after the victory of the Isérois at Loudenvielle # TDF20 # TdF2020 pic.twitter.com/hPewbw5Aid

  Thomas de Saint Leger (@ThomasdeStLeger) September 5, 2020

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