Tour de France: Sports minister considers Tour with no spectators
The Tour de France is considering the choice of going ahead without fans, says France’s sports minister.
The race is thanks to run from 27 June to 19 July but is unsure, with most major sports events off due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"We have [imposed spectator bans] for other competitions before," said Roxana Maracineanu.
"But there is a time for everything. we have a more urgent fight, it's still too early to make a decision [to go ahead]."
She added: "Let's put all our effort into climbing that mountain before tackling subsequent one."
Maracineanu said one thing in favor of running the race 'behind closed doors' was that "it won't have an equivalent [financial] impact because the business model of the Tour doesn't depend upon ticket sales like football or rugby".
"In this era of confinement, most are aware and responsible," she added to France Bleu.
"Everyone understands the advantages of staying reception and thus favoring the tv show instead of the live show."
The Giro d'Italia - set for 9-31 May - has been postponed, while a choice remains to be made on the ultimate tour of the year, the Vuelta an Espana, which is thanks to starting on 14 August.
The 2020 Olympic Games and football's Euro 2020 are among the main events already postponed.
The race is thanks to run from 27 June to 19 July but is unsure, with most major sports events off due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"We have [imposed spectator bans] for other competitions before," said Roxana Maracineanu.
"But there is a time for everything. we have a more urgent fight, it's still too early to make a decision [to go ahead]."
She added: "Let's put all our effort into climbing that mountain before tackling subsequent one."
Maracineanu said one thing in favor of running the race 'behind closed doors' was that "it won't have an equivalent [financial] impact because the business model of the Tour doesn't depend upon ticket sales like football or rugby".
"In this era of confinement, most are aware and responsible," she added to France Bleu.
"Everyone understands the advantages of staying reception and thus favoring the tv show instead of the live show."
The Giro d'Italia - set for 9-31 May - has been postponed, while a choice remains to be made on the ultimate tour of the year, the Vuelta an Espana, which is thanks to starting on 14 August.
The 2020 Olympic Games and football's Euro 2020 are among the main events already postponed.
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