An additional increase in COVID-19 cases in and around Nice has led the host city of the Tour de France to the so-called red zone, forcing local government to further block the race, cyclists and the public from the threat of contagion. .
Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme had said in the past that he opposed keeping the race behind closed doors, but admitted that crowds deserve to be strictly limited at the beginning and end of stages and on stage-ranked climbs. 1 and 2 around Nice. The blackout panels will reshape the start and end in enclosed areas. On Thursday night, only another 1,000 people were able to attend the tour of France team presentation.
According to the maritime Alps fitness government, the number of new cases diagnosed in the last seven days has reached 97, equivalent to 100,000 inhabitants. French Prime Minister Jean Castex has classified 19 other French departments as red zones, forcing him to dress in masks. .
There are no planes or trains, cars and ‘bubbles’ in the Tour de France
Only others by bike on foot, dressed in masks, will be able to access the Rimiez coast on Saturday and Cols Colmiane, Turini, Quatre Chemins and Eze on Sunday.
“Access to climbs through cars will be prohibited. Public order means that the police will have to do everything they can to ensure that spectators do not gather at the foot of the climbs,” said Nice police leader Bernard Gonzalez at a special press convention at tour de France Headquarters, with Prudhomme and Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi.
“We entered the red zone this morning, but we didn’t keep our guard down. We have known for at least 10 days that we will go from a formula adjusted to an even tighter formula,” Prudhomme said.
Gonzales explained that the Grand Départ will be strictly limited to two spectator stands, with another 50 people and with physical distance. The stands are reserved for the city of Nice, “to praise those who worked on organizing this Tour”. .
He said that the start would be “behind closed doors” and said: “If I have any recommendation for viewers, it is to see the increases in passes on television. “
Estrosi has supported the Tour de France in Nice, but now he must make sure that the race does not aggravate the COVID-19 pandemic in his city.
“The position in terms of physical precautions is on the Tour de France in Nice,” he suggested.
“We don’t need any mistakes until Monday (when the race leaves Nice), and I hope ASO and Christian Prudhomme will do the same in Paris in 3 weeks. We need to show the audience around the world that we are irreproachable. “
Similar strict measures may be implemented for other stages of the three-week Tour de France, depending on the other alert grades in the other French regions.
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