If there exist in the world of sport two expressions a priori contradictory, they are “Tour de France” and “behind closed doors”. How could the biggest free sports show in the world get out of the eyes of its fans? Cycling is the popular sport par excellence: the only one that reaches its audience, without barriers or ticketing.
This is however the proposal made Thursday by Roxana Maracineanu, French Minister of Sports. “Everyone understood the benefits of staying at home and therefore favoring the television show rather than the live show,” she said on France Bleu. Basically, it would not be so penalizing since we could follow the Tour on television. ” Really? At a time when the Euro and the Olympic Games have been postponed for a year, is it realistic to imagine a Great Loop that runs without spectators?
How to ban the public?
“I was surprised, concedes Richard Chassot. We should already agree on the definition of in camera. The method was practiced during the last stages of Paris-Nice. The aim was to avoid contact between the public and the runners and it mainly concerned the start and finish areas. But it was a month ago; the world has changed since then. ”
And the big boss of Tour de Romandie to project himself towards what such a decision would imply. “The current situation prohibits gatherings when a professional team is an SME that brings together at least 30 people every night in a hotel. Is it possible to block traffic with the imperatives of the moment? How do you prevent people from going to the roadside? I have the impression that the CRS have something else to do. What about TV production? Direct from France TV requires the involvement of at least 300 people. I understand the social and economic importance of the Tour, but I wonder about the credibility of such an announcement. ”
“If security is assured …”
From his home, Sébastien Reichenbach asks himself the same questions but adds a touch of voluntarism. “In camera, I would say it is possible. Even if a party like the Tour without an audience is hardly imaginable. But at the same time, all sports are stopped and people are gradually becoming bored. If the safety of everyone involved is ensured and that the TV Tour can entertain the population, cheer them up, I’m ready to go. ”
Driven by a surge of altruism, the Swiss champion concedes however that “this Tour would not remain in history, that it would lack charm.” But for its sporting validity, the FDJ climber is not worried. “You know, we run all year round and it is not uncommon to arrive at the top of a pass in front of three people. If you put runners on the starting line, everyone will be ready to play. We are competitors, everyone would be great. ”
Training deficit
For Sébastien Reichenbach, the problem is elsewhere. To ensure a quality Tour de France, even behind closed doors, you have to train. “For the moment, we are talking. We don’t train. Even if I am theoretically authorized to go out, I decided to stay in a “home trainer” so as not to take the risk of injuring myself and clogging up the hospitals. We cannot prepare for a Tour de France by talking to each other. ”
So, when should the peloton be able to get back on their saddle at the latest for a chance to complete the three weeks of effort in good conditions? “We should be able to go out again at the end of April,” answers Sébastien Reichenbach. We need at least two months. And then ideally, we should be able to align ourselves with a competition just before. It seems a bit fair anyway. ” Indeed.
Mathieu Aeschmann
Created: 26.03.2020, 19h11
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