A masked Adam Yates,from Australian team Mitchelton-Scott,wears the yellow jersey as leader of the Tour de France.Credit:AP Photo/Thibault Camus
It's a different experience at this year's Tour de France,which started last week under heavy health and safety restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For a start,there are far fewer people watching.
Gatherings of more than 5000 people are banned in France,while the race is also being held two months later than its normal summer-holiday slot,resulting in smaller crowds at stage finishes and on the famous climbs.
"There's crowds,it's just not as manic,it's actually nice in some parts,"said Matt White,sporting director of Australian team Mitchelton-Scott.
"Anyone who's been to the Tour de France knows it really does turn into a fishbowl of human beings. The weekends and epic stages,they will have crowds,but it just won't be as oppressive as in the past."
Adam Yates wearing a mask and the coveted yellow jersey.Credit:Sebastien Nogier,Pool via AP
France has recorded an exponential rise in cases as the Tour moves through the country and President Emmanuel Macron said he would not rule out a further lockdown,calling on the French to be"collectively very rigorous". A record 8975 cases were recorded on September 4.
There are strict rules for teams participating in this year's race,with two positive COVID-19 tests enough to force out an entire squad. In a sport that has had its fair share of drama involving testing,many precautions are being taken to prevent the virus from spreading.