Tour de France could be staged this summer without any spectators
(The Guardian Sports News)

Sports minister exploring ways of scaling event downDecision on go ahead likely to be made by 1 MayProfessional cycling reacted with a mix of cautious optimism and scepticism after the French sports minister, Roxana Maracineau, confirmed that together with the Tour de France organisers ASO, her officials were exploring ways of running a scaled down Tour with restrictions on spectator access this summer even though the country is currently in lockdown to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus.With the Olympic Games and Euro 2020 already cancelled, the Tour is one of very few major events remaining - for the time being - on this summer´s sporting calendar. Reports on Thursday suggested that a deadline of 1 May seems likely for a decision on the Tour, because it will be clear by then whether the outbreak has peaked in France, and because that would give a clear two months for cyclists to prepare for the race. A representative of ASO contacted by the Guardian said the company had no comment to make. Continue reading...