Michel Lalande, prefect of the Hauts-de-France region, “sees the sky less blue” for the organization of Paris-Roubaix, scheduled for April 11. The prefect expressed his doubts on France Bleu Nord on Monday.
–
LThe effervescence born from the sequence of races, from Nieuwsblad to Sanremo via De Panne on Wednesday or E3 on Friday, would almost make you forget that the current cycling calendar is always written in ink that has nothing to do with it. indelible. The pandemic is indeed present and can, depending on the country, abuse the deadlines. The third monument of the year, Paris-Roubaix, is particularly concerned by these questions since Hauts-de-France is once again severely affected to the point that the region where the race is to take place has been placed in strict confinement, and this for four weeks. However, the Hell of the North is scheduled for April 11 …
The prefect of the North also marked his greatest restraint concerning the holding on the scheduled date of the race, already canceled after a postponement, last season. On the airwaves of France Bleu Nord, Michel Lalande let his doubts emerge even if he did not give a definitive answer on the question. “I see the sky less blue … even if you can guess my answer”, he thus explained to the question of the holding, or not, of the monument. Released on the fact that “the Belgians manage to maintain cycling races”, the prefect added: “It will be necessary to explain to me the coherence with the barrier gestures and all the rest”, resolutely not very optimistic.
Joined by us, ASO, the organizing company of Paris-Roubaix, replied: “No comment”. Note that the event is still on the UCI calendar on April 11, but it is, let us remember, the prefectural power that will have the last word and can, like what happened on Paris-Nice deprived of its two stages in the Riviera city on the eve of the scheduled date, prohibit sports events on its territory. It is then up to the organizers to postpone or cancel it. Without playing Cassandra, Philippe Gilbert could well stay, at least a few more months, the last to have raised his arms in the heart of the Vélodrome. Unfortunately…
–
– .
