ASO, the organizer of the Tour de France, has reportedly set a May 15 deadline for finalizing this summer's race, as the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing and sporting events, including the Olympics, are postponed or canceled. one of the last major summer events whose fate remains undecided.

The news comes as the mayors of the various host cities are concerned about the possibility of a fan-less "closed" Tour, which was initiated Wednesday by French Sports Minister Roxana Marassineanu.

Former UCI president Brian Cookson has also suggested that the 2020 Grand Tour could be shortened to two weeks and run from late July until the end of the season. [Stéphane Vilain, deputy mayor of Chatailon-Plage, where stage 11 will be held, told RTBF (opens in new tab), "Millions of people come to the race to see the riders up close. 'Even if the images on TV are beautiful and make you want to visit, they completely distort the event. It would not have the same flavor."

"We have to wait until May 1. At least that's what (tour organizer) Christian Prudhomme said. At least that's what (tour organizer) Christian Prudhomme said. Then we'd have time to decide whether to cancel or postpone. But frankly, he didn't seem too worried."

RTBF added in its coverage that May 15 is the date set by the ASO, which would give towns and cities ample time to prepare before the Tour, in case the blockade is lifted.

"I am not under many illusions," Daniel Spagne, mayor of Cisteron, the finish and start point for stages 3 and 4, told RTBF. But now that the Olympics have been canceled, it opens up the prospect. Why not postpone the Tour to the end of July?

"I am against this idea because normally the French go on vacation, but I am convinced that even if the blockade is lifted, the people will tend to stay at home. Therefore, they will welcome tours on the street and in front of their homes."

Pascal Schwarz, mayor of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the finish site of stage 10, told RTBF that the country's current blockade measures mean that road work scheduled for the Tour will be put on hold indefinitely.

"We are concerned," Schwartz said. 'We are very behind. Because of the blockade measures, road work has been halted even though it is essential for the operation of Le Grand Boucle.

"The prefecture has also stopped, but we must verify our safety plan. Projects essential to the arrival of the tools are, of course, on hold at the moment."

"The project has been put on hold.

Schwartz countered against the prospect of a roadblock. Economic factors as well as enforcement issues against local business and tourism have affected the project.

"It's impossible. You can't have a gendarme every five meters to enforce that decision."

Vilan said that businesses look forward to the race as a regular economic boost, but even more so after the blockade period is over.

"Restaurant owners, hoteliers, and landowners are going through a complicated time and see the Tour as a good way to cool their heads. Typically, the summer season begins on July 15. Thanks to the Tour, the summer season starts earlier.

"With everything that is happening around Covid 19, the priority is obviously the residents, but we also have to think about tomorrow. With all that's happened, we want to think about other things, we want to come together and celebrate, and hopefully in May we'll have some good news."