"I'm really happy to finally have a calendar," said French cyclist Julian Alaphilippe, who led last year's Tour for long spells before finishing fifth. It gives you an extra boost to work harder in order to be fit for when the moment will come." Prudhomme said riders will need two months to prepare for the Tour, including one or two races warm-up races. The postponed Criterium du Dauphiné could move to early August and be shortened from eight days to five or six, he said, with extra climbs to prepare riders for the Tour. "Logic states that there will be less people on the roads during that period, less tourists, less children on school holidays."

Source: Daily Sun April 15, 2020 17:03 UTC