The first yellow jersey of the Tour de France 2020 will be put on this Saturday afternoon, around 4 p.m. at the end of the first stage. It's no joke, the race will start well a month and a half earlier than the new date (August 29-September 20) following the Covid-19 crisis. But it will remain ... virtual.
In a context of completely new health crisis, Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) joined forces with the Zwift application (well known to cyclists training on their home trainer) in order to create for the first time a Virtual Tour , the starting point for the launch of a major solidarity campaign around cycling. Thirty-nine professional teams (including 16 women) are confirmed at the start. Among the peloton stars are the Colombian Egan Bernal, winner coming out of the "real" Tour, the British Geraint Thomas and Christopher Froome, the Australian Richie Porte, or the French Julian Alaphilippe, Romain Bardet and Warren Barguil.
The six stages, very short (1 hour), where the runners will ride on their connected home trainer, will be broadcast in 130 countries. During the confinement, a virtual Tour of Flanders (won by the Belgian Van Avermaet) and a Tour of Switzerland had already made a splash on the small screen.
"We are going to rub against those who hold the top of the bill"
"Usually, my home trainer was more of a way to kill boredom, but I got caught during confinement," admits Kevin Ledanois, Barguil's teammate at Arkea-Samsic. I know that these virtual races are not easy and there is an exciting side to say that we are going to rub against those who hold the top of the poster. The 2015 world champion hope comes out of a week-long training course in the Alps with his team and hopes to be "in a fight for the win".
"I can't imagine a month of July without cycling," said Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, during the official launch of the race. The Virtual Tour is technology serving a passion and the cause of cycling for all. "
During these first three weekends in July, amateur cyclists from around the world will also have the opportunity to rub their teeth during the same weekends at the virtual Tour de France Stage. These two meetings aim to raise funds for the benefit of 5 international associations.
The six stages
Saturday July 4, stage 1: Nice, 36.4 km (mountain stage)
Sunday July 5, stage 2: Nice, 29.5 km (mountain stage)
Saturday July 11, stage 3: North-East of France, 48 km (stage on the flat)
Sunday July 12, stage 4: South-West of France, 45.8 km (hilly stage)
Saturday July 18, stage 5: Mountain stage, 22.9 km (arrival at Chalet-Reynard)
Sunday July 19, stage 6: Paris Champs-Elysées, 42.8 km (6 laps of the circuit).
