TOUR BOSS UPBEAT ON RACE’S CHANCES OF RECOVERY
Less than 48 hours before the Tour starts, director Christian Prudhomme says he is upbeat about the race?s chances of getting back on the right tracks - hopefully for good.
In an extensive interview with French newspaper Ouest-France, Prudhomme says that ?Everything possible has been done to avoid what happened in the Tour last year, when the race suffered serious damage in the second half.
The AFLD [the French anti-doping authorities responsible for the testing in the Tour] are efficent, and I think that both riders and teams have realised what they have to do.?
Asked about the Tour's current chronic lack of reference points in terms of favourites - given the absence of last year?s winner Alberto Contador and third-placed Levi Leipheimer because their team, Astana, are not allowed to take part following last year's doping scandals - Prudhomme argued that ?The Tour can create heros very quickly, above all thanks to the television.?
?I remember in 1973 Eddy Merckx opted out of the Tour - and the race was still great. I can understand that Contador?s supporters are angry, but we have nothing against him.?
?The problem was with his team, Astana." - which Contador and Leipheimer joined at the end of last season.
Prudhomme also mentioned the fact that the teams have an ?economic interest? in a scandal-free Tour - a reference to the fine they have all agreed they will have to pay if there are any problems.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"Cycling has become more human this year. I can remember [Rabobank race leader] Robert Gesink?s face in Paris-Nice last year, his mouth wide open and looking exhausted.?
?Cycling is on the point of rediscovering a facet of itself that it should never have lost.?
As for the race itself, Prudhomme said he was "hoping the race will be very interesting from the word go."
"There is no prologue and there are no time bonuses. It's going to be an unusual first week."
TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: GUIDE |
Tour de France 2008 homepage>>
News and features>>
Route & stages>>
Teams and riders>>
About the Tour>>
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
First images of Tadej Pogačar's rainbow jersey revealed - and he's set for white shorts
New kit from Pissei released ahead of Slovenian's first race as world champion at Saturday's Giro dell'Emilia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘I am in love with Unbound Gravel’ - new documentary celebrates three unsung and behind-the-scenes heroes of race
Shimano's new documentary 'Unsung' shares the stories of three "behind-the-scenes" people who make Unbound Gravel happen each year: a sports photographer, a bike mechanic, and an event organizer.
By Kristin Jenny Published