Tour de France a fragile jewel in sporting crown

THE French call it simply Le Tour, or more affectionately La Grande Boucle – the Great Loop – as more than 100 cyclists traverse one of the world’s most beautiful countries. Now the 2018 Tour de France, surely cycling’s toughest challenge, is over. Its passing from Irish television and our sports pages is another indicator of the turn of the year, as is the start of the famed Galway races today. The Tour has a special place in the heart of Irish sports fans and its fame goes beyond the small but dedicated band of competitive cyclists in this country, who have a proud tradition.

It has captured the imagination of sportsmen and women in many lands since its inception in 1902. For many Irish people, affection for the race is deeply intertwined with the beauty of the French countryside, which year after year is showcased to the world.

Early iconic photographs showed the cyclists lighting up their cigarettes at the end of a gruelling stage – an image which has ceased to be acceptable for the past two generations. But the pictures are echoed by a malaise which has afflicted professional cycling and many other sports.

This year’s Tour began with another controversy about the use of banned substances. It must be acknowledged the authorities have made progress in recent years in confronting the problem. But that progress is too slow and it leaves one of the great jewels of sport in a much too fragile position.