Team chief raises safety concerns over Tour dates
MITCHELTON-SCOTT sport director Matt White has questioned whether it would be safe to run the Tour de France on its planned dates whether it took place ‘behind closed doors’ or not.
French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu revealed last week organisers ASO are looking at ways the 107th edition of the race – which has previously only ever stopped due to war – could still start in Nice as planned on June 27, despite the spread of the coronavirus outbreak across Europe.
The public would be kept away from the roadside, but several riders, including 2018 Tour winner Geraint Thomas, have questioned the value of the race without fans, while White is unsure if it would be safe to stage at all.
“The next four-five weeks is crucial, that the virus infections come down to a very low level in Europe,” White said on his team’s website.
“At the moment we’re not seeing that, and I would think that, as it stands at the moment, it would be pretty hard to run the Tour de France at the current dates starting at the end of June.
“We’re not talking about four-five venues, we are a travelling circus. We’re talking about 2000 people; teams, media, logistics and movement between 20 hotels over 25 days.
“Safety has to remain the priority.”
Meanwhile, up to £195million of public funding will be made available to help grassroots sport deal with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sport England has announced the multi-million support package in a bid to ease shortterm cash-flow issues and loss of income for the sport and physical activity sector. Grants of up to £10,000 are available from a £20 million emergency community fund, while an additional £55 million will help fund ways to keep people active during the global health crisis and get organisations back into business once restrictions are lifted.
I would think that, as it stands at the moment, it would be pretty hard to run the Tour de France at the current dates. Matt White