DIRT NEWS
organise a Tour de France. Normally, the Tour
would run from June 27 to July 19. Now a new
date has been announced and the largest
cycling event in the world will be from August 29
to September 20.
“Then I heard on Belgian television that a
renowned team of virologists had said that a
Tour de France cannot take place on the new
date. This came from internationally respected
virologists and they all agree – Benjamin Cowie,
professor of epidemiology at the University of
Melbourne and Stefano D’Amelio, professor of
infectious diseases at the University of Rome.
“And during the Giro, probably in October, riders
and the public will still be at great risk. A second wave
98 KIWI RIDER
of infections is very likely. The hypothesis is now that
the second wave, which will be less severe, will come
in September or October. That will be the period
when the Tour and the Giro will be on the calendar.
“I have no idea to what extent these statements
by the renowned virologists are going to influence
the politicians. If there is any doubt whether the
new date of the Tour de France is well chosen,
it will be even more difficult for a much smaller
sport like motocross to get together another
calendar in 2020.
“I sincerely hope that InFront and FIM will succeed
in achieving a restart of the world championship
in 2020, with public health as the most important
issue in the choice of the races.”