As part of a series of interviews conducted by Sporza.be with medical experts on the safety of the Tour de France being held on the newly proposed August 29-September 20 dates this year, an epidemiologist told the Belgian website that if the race is held so early would be a serious public health concern.

Professor Benjamin Cowie, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist at the University of Melbourne, told Sporza, "I would have to say that unless the Tour de France is held in a way that is almost unlike anything we have seen before, there is a pretty big public health concern about it being held in August. I would have to say that there are significant public health concerns with it being held in August, unless it is done in a way that looks very different from what it has been."

"We know that many major events have been postponed until a similar time in 2021," he said. I think that is a conservative and safe approach and one that is worth considering."

"Obviously there are economic consequences, but that goes both ways. The economic hurdles are quite high for people who have lost their jobs to make the trip. To participate in the Tour de France and make it an event that people love to attend, please visit .......

Stefano D'Amelia, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Rome and a self-confessed cycling enthusiast, was a bit optimistic, although he hopes the race will be held this year from that perspective.

"As a cycling fan, it's hard to have a season without the classics. There are a few things that could be done to make hosting the Tour possible. First, there are no supporters. On climbs like the Col d'Izoard and the Col du Tourmalet, there are millions of spectators along the roadside.

"Second," D'Amelia continued, "is the risk between riders. There are lots of possibilities for infection between riders if you pass a bottle of water or something like that."

"Then there are all the journalists, the team staff, the masseurs who have to touch [the riders].

In addition, D'Amelia mentioned the possibility that riders participating in the Tour could be more susceptible to coronavirus.

"The riders will be under great physical stress, which may affect their immune systems.