Deceuninck-QuickStep star Julien Alaphilippe said he would not consider a Tour de France without spectators. The option was recently raised as a possibility by the French sports minister in response to the Covid 19 coronavirus pandemic sweeping Europe.

As a result, numerous events have been cancelled or postponed around the world, and the July race is too far in the future to know what will happen. Youth and Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu told "l'Equipe" magazine on Wednesday that the Tour could be held "behind closed doors."

"Everyone is very careful and aware during this period of confinement. They are not attending live events; they are watching television." As a result, it would not be too difficult to have to watch the tour on TV."

Alaphilippe told RMC Sport (opens in new tab) on Saturday that he will participate in the no-show race, but that it will be with a heavy heart.

The 27-year-old won two stages last year, held the yellow jersey for two weeks, and thrilled the nation with an unexpected fifth-place finish in Paris.

"I think it's unique," he said. I don't want to imagine it." The public is part of the Tour de France. Imagine the World Cup in a stadium with no spectators.

"If we have to do it, we will do it, but I'd rather imagine the virus disappearing and doing it with the general public."

The Tour, like many other major races around Europe, has been held without interruption since World War II, but this year, depending on the onset of the coronavirus throughout the rest of 2020, a large portion of the European season may not be raced at all There is a possibility that.

On Saturday, it was reported that the organizer, ASO, will make a final decision on the fate of the race on May 15. Meanwhile, the postponement or cancellation of the race was met with dismay by the mayors of the host city.

"I am divided," Alaphilippe said. 'For me, the Tour is the Tour, and if it's held, even if it's postponed, so be it. But a Tour without spectators is not the same."

"I am not a fan of the Tour.

The French added that they do not know when the race will resume. Most European countries are currently under some form of blockade, and sports and public events are suspended for the time being.

"They talk about setting a date and at that point we can prepare. It is difficult to prepare for the Tour de France or the World Championships. But we are all in that situation."