Tour de France joined the list of major sports events that have been affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The organizers announced on Tuesday that the world’s most prominent cycling race is now postponed indefinitely.
Tour de France was scheduled to take place on June 27th, and the organization committee intended to stick with the original date, hoping that the health crisis will be under control by then. However, this wasn’t possible anymore after the French government decided to ban all major public events until July.
The postponement, however, doesn’t mean that this year’s race will be completely canceled as Tour de France organizers said they are currently trying to find a later date.
“Given that it’s now impossible that the Tour starts at its planned date, we are consulting with the [International Cycling Union] to try and find new dates,” said the organizers in a statement.
Reportedly, there is also a suggestion for Tour de France to proceed without an audience if the public gathering ban remains in force. But considering that over a million people visit the event each year, this option remains unlikely.
In case that Tour de France doesn’t take place this year, it would be the first time since World War II.
