Cycling: PCR tests, health bubble and social distancing, a confusing 79th edition of Paris-Nice
The Paris-Nice peloton during the first stage, March 7, 2021. AFP - ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
5 mins
A year ago, Paris-Nice was the last race on the world calendar before the planet was confined.
Twelve months later, the edition started from Saint-Cyr-l'École this Sunday, March 7 with a strict health protocol.
The Irishman Sam Bennett of the Deceuninck-Quick Step team wins the first stage of this edition and takes the leader's jersey.
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Saint-Cyr-l'École, special correspondent
Above the Balto café in Saint-Cyr-l'École, on their little balcony, two kids watch the first stage of Paris-Nice take off.
The “race to the sun”, which marks the first major stage race on European soil, takes place in small groups.
Far from the party atmosphere
It is now difficult for the public to approach the runners, it is not the crowd of great days.
There are almost as many people in front of the neighborhood bakery as there are along the barrier placed at a reasonable distance to respect the sanitary bubble.
“
This is not the bike that I have known
, slips quite sorry a former rider.
Normally it's party time!
A few minutes later, the mayor of Saint-Cyr-l'École greets the event at the microphone.
“
This breath of fresh air in a time of stress,
” she said, wearing sunglasses on her nose, bundled up in her coat.
Rare citizens are listening.
Today, a rider must do a PCR test six days before the start of the event and then a new one forty-eight hours before the start.
Behind their mask, their glasses and their helmet, one has the impression that the Daft Punk have been emulated.
Only a true specialist is able to recognize the Slovenian Primož Roglič, world number one, beaten in the Tour de France and winner of the last
Tour of Spain
, who is making his comeback to competition during this Paris-Nice.
Slovenian Primož Roglič, winner of the last Tour of Spain.
© Farid Achache
An obsession: protecting runners
A year ago, Paris-Nice was the last event in the world before the long confinement.
The race never arrived safely, but ended on Saturday March 14 at the top of the Col de La Colmiane, in the Alpes-Maritimes.
“
We were careful not to shake hands and put on gel,
” recalls one follower.
Masks did not exist and no one suspected such damage to people's lives.
“
From now on, we are entering a sanitary bubble before the race to protect the runners.
It's complicated, but you get used to it.
The runners are so happy to do their job while others can no longer compete,
”says the press officer of the French team B&B Hôtels p / b KTM.
"
I greet you from afar
", launches a fellow journalist to another colleague.
From now on, there is no longer any question of going alongside runners at the foot of their bus or at their hotel.
Media meetings are organized just before departure with mask wearing and social distance.
And the reporter must show the organization's doctor white paws with a PCR test within 72 hours.
Now is not the time to relax.
"
We have the right to continue so we must not complain too much
"
“
There has been de facto progress even if we are still in a special situation
, testifies the rider Jonathan Hivert of the B&B Hotels p / b KTM team.
We have the right to continue so we should not complain too much because there are sports still at a standstill.
It's binding for everyone and the public must certainly be disappointed not to be able to approach us.
We must always be careful to stay away.
PCR tests have become quite a habit
”.
At the end of the afternoon, under a shaving sun, the Irishman Sam Bennett of the Deceuninck-Quick Step team won the first stage of this very special edition and took on the leader's jersey.
It is almost time for curfew and the streets of Saint-Cyr-l'École are almost deserted.
For now, the uncertainty related to the health situation is on the next weekend and the Nice final.
Twelve months ago, the pandemic was only at its beginning ...
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