Dave Brailsford has stated that he will withdraw Team Ineos from the rescheduled 2020 Tour de France if he feels the race's precautions against the coronavirus are not working in a "prudent, intelligent and responsible manner."

Brailsford and his staff have been busy helping Ineos deliver one million bottles of hand sanitizer produced in England, France, and Germany since the race was cancelled in early March to mourn the sudden death of director Nicholas Portal.

He suggested that the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has perhaps changed the way the world thinks of role models and heroes.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with being a little humble. We are quite lucky to be involved in professional sports. We don't need the world. We need doctors and nurses. No one has ever died from lack of [professional] cycling," Brailsford said in an interview with The Times, adding that postponing the Tour de France to September would give Chris Froome more time to recover from his crash injury in 2019 so he could contend for a record victory. He suggested.

Tour organizer ASO announced Wednesday that pro cycling's biggest race is scheduled for August 29-September 20. So far, few details have emerged about how the Tour intends to protect the well-being of the riders, staff, media, and especially the huge number of fans expected to line the race route over the three weeks. All participants may have to go through quarantine before starting the Tour, and if even one person tests positive for COVID-19 during the race, the race will certainly be cancelled.

Scientists at Harvard University, Imperial College in England, and elsewhere agree that the expected lifting of quarantine measures will lead to a second peak of COVID-19, the timing of which will likely coincide with the Tour de France in September.

Brailsford seems to recognize the risk.

"We reserve the right to withdraw teams if we deem it necessary. We intend to participate as long as the race is on, but as before Paris-Nice, we will wait and see how things develop."

"There will be much debate about the pros and cons of lifting the blockade in all aspects of society, including sporting events.

"Likewise, most people recognize that learning from the transition from lockdown will only take place once it has begun. We will monitor the situation closely and of course take note of national guidance and any advice.

Brailsford watched from home on Sunday as Team Ineos athletes competed in an eSports race on the Zwift platform. He has also watched as Chris Froome continues to work extra hard to get back to full form after a series of long rides in his personal pain cave and a terrible crash at last year's Criterium du Dauphiné.

Froome was not expected to be fully competitive in July's Tour de France, but with a two-month delay and COVID-19 sealed, Froome is back to peak fitness and will attempt to win his fifth Tour de France, perhaps the most in history! Brailsford believes he now has a chance.

Froome turns 35 next month, so a fifth Tour de France win would make him the second oldest champion in history, behind only Firmin Lambot, who won in 1922 at age 36. Froom will probably be the team leader of the Tour de France with Team Ineos, along with Geraint Thomas and Eoghan Bernal.

"He's not complaining [about the delay].

"One thing I can say about Chris, he's awesome, he can train. What he's doing in the man-cave over there - the morning gym, the turbo, the time he spends on that - it's painful.

"I know I can train harder than most and make up for the time I lost due to injury.

Brailsford, like other team managers, is aware of the financial impact COVID-19 will have on sponsors' activities. He seems bullish about the support of Ineos, a chemical multinational controlled by Jim Ratcliffe, the richest man in the UK and a tax evader, but admits that other teams will be hit hard and may even disappear.

"For many riders, the Tour is their lifeline," Brailsford said, recognizing the importance of the Tour de France.

"The fact that the whole cycling model is 100% based on sponsorship means that it is only as strong as the sponsors' business.

"Teams are going under" I really hope that doesn't happen. My heart tells me that would be a terrible thing. But logically, if the sponsors' businesses don't get back on their feet, some will be more vulnerable than others. They will have to give up something and they are not going to give up their core business for a cycling team."