The Tour De France Takes Place In December
The Tour De France, one of the most famous cycling races in the world, is usually held in July. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the race was postponed to August and later rescheduled to take place in September. But in a surprising turn of events, it has been announced that the 2020 Tour De France will take place in December. This has left many cycling fans wondering why the change in schedule and how it will affect the race. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about the Tour de France taking place in December.
Why was the Tour De France rescheduled?
The Tour De France has been held every year since 1903, with the exception of the two World Wars. However, this year's race had to be rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic first hit, there were concerns about whether it would be possible to hold the tour at all. However, after some consultations between the French government, the French Cycling Federation, and the International Cycling Union, it was decided that the race could go ahead, but with some changes to the original schedule.
The original dates for the 2020 Tour De France were July 27th - August 19th. However, in April, race organizers announced that due to the pandemic, the race would take place from August 29th to September 20th. This would give the riders more time to prepare and train after the restrictions on training and travel were lifted in Europe. However, as the pandemic continued to spread and new restrictions were put in place, the organizers decided to push the race back even further.
Why December?
The idea of holding the Tour De France in December may seem strange, but it's not entirely unprecedented. The race has been held in May, June, and July before, and in the early years of the race, it was often held in late May or early June. However, holding the race in December is a new experience for everyone involved.
There are several factors that influenced the decision to hold the race in December. Firstly, with the pandemic still ongoing, the organizers wanted to give the riders as much time as possible to prepare and ensure that the race could be held safely. Secondly, December is a quieter time of year for cycling, which means that there are fewer competing events to worry about. Finally, the organizers wanted to avoid conflicts with other major sporting events that were being rescheduled, such as the Olympics and Euros, which were both due to take place in 2020 but were postponed to 2021.
What are the challenges of holding the Tour De France in December?
Holding the Tour De France in December poses several challenges for the riders, teams, and organizers. Firstly, the weather conditions are likely to be much colder and wetter than they would be in July. This means that the riders will have to prepare differently and potentially use different equipment to cope with the conditions. Secondly, the days are shorter in December, which means that the race will have to be scheduled differently to accommodate the reduced daylight hours. Finally, the holiday season could pose logistical challenges for the organizers, with a potential increase in traffic and limited accommodation options.
What can we expect from the December Tour De France?
The December Tour De France will be an unprecedented event, and there are many unknowns about how it will play out. However, we can expect some things to be different from the usual July race. Firstly, as mentioned before, the weather conditions are likely to be tougher, which could lead to upsets and surprise victories. Secondly, the reduced daylight hours could mean that some of the stages are held at night, which would be a new experience for the riders and fans alike. Finally, the holiday season could add a festive atmosphere to the race, with spectators lining the streets and cheering on the riders.
Conclusion
The Tour De France taking place in December is an unusual event, but it's a reflection of the uncertain times we live in. The pandemic has disrupted our lives in many ways, and the reshuffling of major sporting events is just one example. While it remains to be seen how the December race will play out, we can be sure that it will be an exciting and memorable event for cycling fans around the world.
