Tour De France Set For Grand Départ Shrouded In Fear And Uncertainty theguardian.com

Rarely, if ever, has the modern Tour de France started in such uncertain conditions and shrouded by so many tensions. The 2020 edition of the old race, first staged in 1903, rolls out of Nice on Saturday facing perhaps its greatest challenge ever in the Covid-19 pandemic.
There will be bubbles, face masks, distancing, but the frightening reality is that the virus is once again on the march in Europe. The all-powerful Tour de France organisation can close cities, airports and, almost, move mountains, but it can’t control all of the people all of the time, even if they ardently love cycling. With infection rates rising across France, the question is just how long can the Tour and the French government keep the show safe, healthy and on the road.