Tour is not off as yet
TOUR DE FRANCE organisers are believed to be considering postponing this year’s race to later this summer – rather than cancelling it.
An email sent to the programme publisher for the Tour is reported to have said it was “freezing the administrative aspects of our collaboration” ahead of the June 27 to July 19 event.
“The unpredictable nature of the global crisis means that we will have to be patient until there is an official announcement about the 2020 race,” wrote the publishing arm of L’Equipe newspaper.
“Bearing in mind that the current focus is on a postponement until later in the summer rather than a cancellation.”
Tour de France organisers declined to comment. own child come out you understand why people say they would do anything to protect their kids.”
Dads-to-be are also currently barred from attending pregnancy scans but Philbin – whose mum is a midwife – says there is no other safe option. He said: “When it’s your first you want to be there for every moment but, in these crazy times, we have to be vigilant. “We have to do everything we can to protect the NHS. “At times like this you know who the real heroes are.” Laura and Bobby were kept in hospital a few days as a precaution and Philbin says their return home means the world to him.
“It’s been driving me mad not having any rugby but it means I have precious bonding time with my family now,” he said. “You have to look at the positives in life.”
All rugby league is suspended indefinitely because of the pandemic and Philbin admits he’s lucky to have his family around him.
He said: “I feel for those lads who live on their own. It’s killing me because I love my routine of going training every day with my mates but at least I have Laura and Bobby.
“A few of the Warrington lads have downloaded Monopoly to play together and that kills a bit of time for them.
“Mentally it is a hard time but we have all got to stick to the guidelines and be as cautious as we can.”
Players have been given equipment by the club to help their home training programmes and Philbin insists they will be ready for whatever the season looks like when it resumes.
He said: “All sorts of ideas are being talked about including the possibility of playing three games a week. Obviously people will say there’s player welfare to be talked about but if clubs need to do it to financially survive then as players we would do it.
“I can only speak for myself but if I have to play Monday, Thursday and Sunday to keep my job then I will do it and I imagine everybody would.
“We couldn’t expect high-quality games, with so little recovery but if that’s what is needed to save jobs then I’d do it.”