The famous cycling race around France begins on Saturday. On Friday, France had the most new novel Coronavirus infections in a single day since late March. This year’s Tour de France is already two months behind schedule.
This year’s competition started without the crowds you see in previous years. Only 100 spectators were allowed to watch the match start in Nice on Saturday afternoon. There, people have to wear masks outdoors.
This is just one of the novel Coronavirus epidemic’s influences on the 3500 km bicycle race. The race trails through the mountains, vineyards and villages of France. Racing driver will be tested on time whether the novel Coronavirus is infected. They wear masks when they are not playing.
The big question now is whether this year’s Tour de France will end in three weeks’ time on the Champs Elysees in the capital, or whether it will be forced to end prematurely.
But there are other reasons why this year, the world’s largest cycling race, is so different from previous years.
Francois Jouyal, 69, is the former head coach of French athletics. He remembers following the Tour de France as a young man. The team leader then followed by the racer. The racers looked relaxed as they sprinted up the hill. ‘It was a pretty spectacular sight,’ he said.
Everywhere the racers went there was a festive atmosphere. Someone sprinkled sugar on the child. Thousands of fans lined the roads to cheer. But there will be no more cheering for racers this year as they pass Through Mr. Jouyal’s hometown in central France. France’s rules for dealing with the outbreak require no more than 5,000 people.
Now that the French are back at work, the Tour de France will largely become an online event, with many fans watching it on television rather than live, Mr. Joual said.
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