Categories: Cycling

2020 Tour de France set to be postponed

This year’s Tour de France is facing official postponement following an announcement made by France President, Emmanuel Macron on Monday.

Macron declared no large public gatherings will be held in the country before mid-July at the earliest.

This will be done, according to Macron, to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tour de France was originally scheduled for June 27 to July 19 but plans were already underway for a postponement until later in July.

Last week reports emerged with speculation of a July 25 start in Nice and a finish in Paris on August 16.

According to previous reports there was an agreement among the host cities to hold the race later in summer.

Organisers ASO said last month that the Tour de France would not take place ‘behind closed doors’ like Paris-Nice, which began before the strict limits on public gatherings were imposed.

Macron moved to extend the lockdown period for France through May 11 with only gradual lifting of the measures if the incidence of COVID-19 decreases.

The virus has killed over 14,000 people in France. Schools, restaurants, cafés, cinemas and other leisure activities will remain closed through May 11 and there will be no summer festivals before mid-July.

The move by the French government forces the hand of the ASO a month before they hoped to decide upon postponement.

ASO also runs the Critérium du Dauphiné, which was originally scheduled to take place from May 31 to June 7. However, ASO agreed with the UCI’s decision to postpone races through until June 1 due to the coronavirus, including the Dauphiné.

The eight-day race has historically been considered a build-up to the French Grand Tour, however, there will now be limited opportunity to reschedule it.

Sammy Wejinya

Recent Posts

It’s three out of three for Robbie on the opening day of the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town

"What Stu (McConnachie) and the trail community have done to put South African trail running…

24 hours ago

World’s trail athletes gather in the Mother City for RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town

by Stephen Granger RMB Ultra Trail Cape Town (UTCT) celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend,…

2 days ago

World trail athletes aiming for the Top of the Table in RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town

by Stephen Granger The eyes of the trail world will be focused on the southern…

3 days ago

Marathon magic in New York and Soweto

Competitive racing was the order of the day at the TCS New York City Marathon…

2 weeks ago

Mainz 05 Coaches Inspire Youth at Totalsport Safe-Hub in Johannesburg’s Alexandra

A coaching team from Bundesliga club 1.FSV Mainz 05 has visited the Totalsport Safe-Hub in…

3 weeks ago

Spotlight on African basketball talent and milestones as NBA’s 2024/25 season takes off

An NBA season packed with African talent and colourful courts is underway, with games available…

3 weeks ago