(Copenhagen) The riders of the Tour de France have been asked to avoid the selfies and autographs in relation to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, Christian Prudhomme recommended on Thursday, on the eve of the departure from Copenhagen.
“The messages we send to runners is to refuse selfies and autographs. We couldn’t imagine that a month ago, that’s how it is, you have to deal with it, ”said the director of the Tour.
The anti-COVID-19 protocol was updated earlier this week by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and half a dozen riders who tested positive were replaced.
“The Tour de Suisse was a real warning for the teams when, to everyone’s surprise, around thirty riders had to return home. Knowing that the Tour de France is essential for them, the teams have tightened the screw, ”noted the director of the Tour.
“We will need poles, masks”, he added, inviting respect for barrier gestures to approach the runners. “We are going to distribute 40,000 masks to the accredited people called to speak to the runners who obviously need to be protected”.
Asked also about the search carried out on Thursday morning with the Bahrain team, which has been the subject of an investigation since the Tour 2021, Christian Prudhomme limited himself to an observation with the journalists who questioned him: “We had no news at all for a year, there was radio silence. I am like you. »
The director of the Tour, on the other hand, was pleased with the enthusiastic welcome given by the Danes to the riders during the presentation of the teams on Thursday in Copenhagen.
“The fervor here is very impressive, it is at least as strong in the start and finish cities or crossed by the race. I told the elected officials and members of the organizing committee: “The biggest start of the Tour de France abroad was in Yorkshire in 2014… until then. Your turn now !” It’s not just a big city, Copenhagen, but a whole country waiting for the Tour de France. We are going to have three wonderful stages, with enthusiastic people who live the race and want to show the best of their country. »
The 2022 Tour begins Friday in Copenhagen with a time trial, before two other stages in Denmark, Saturday and Sunday, then the transfer to France.
