They are three riders from the AG2R team to train in Australia. At the start of the cycling season, Romain Bardet, Clément Chevrier and Axel Domont are preparing the first race of 2020, the Tour Down Under scheduled from January 21 to 26 in the south of the country near Adelaide. At a time when Australia is ravaged by fires, Domont, contacted by telephone, describes the situation in the country and the discomfort felt by top athletes.
Do you feel in danger right now in Australia?
AXEL DOMONT. No. There were a huge number of fires last month here. But I haven't seen a single flame since I arrived on December 30. On the other hand, two days ago, I was on the beach and, in the distance, I saw a halo of smoke that looks like the cloud of pollution that we see above Grenoble. He was not there in previous years and it was the smoke from the fires. It's impressive.
Is it complicated to train right now on Australian roads?
Now no, but an Australian runner, who arrived here in early December, told me he had to wear a mask. There, there is no respiratory discomfort. On the other hand, we cross disaster zones.
Which ones?
There are grilled forests but above all completely burnt vines. In fact, we roll with a sword of Damocles over the head. Everything is dry and a spark is enough for the fires to resume.
Are the temperatures bearable?
There, it is 38 ° -40 ° but we are told a rise to 44 °. We literally suffocate. We check the weather and adapt our training outings
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Can the race be canceled?
With Romain, Clément and our respective wives, we rent a house and we are a bit in our bubble. But as I speak, it is supposed to take place. It is only sport and it is clear that it is not the most important compared to what the country is going through.
VIDEO. Fires: fear in the belly of the inhabitants
