Despite 23,000 customers, team leaders feel insecure in France: ‘There is complete chaos’

The celebration of the Tour de France, with all the fans along the way and the joy of the advertising caravan, is in stark contrast to the riots that have raged in France in recent days. And it wouldn’t be long before the tour hit some places where things got out of hand. This is how the peloton arrives this week in Bordeaux (Friday) and Pau (today), where, among other things, a fire was set at a police station. What is the likelihood that things will go wrong, also on tour?

Head of touring Christian Prudhomme did not want to comment on potential actions when asked this weekend how he would handle the situation. “We are in constant contact with the government and we are watching the situation and how it changes,” he said.

Anyway, Prudhomme can breathe a little more freely now that the riots seem to be less intense. Reuters news agency reported on Sunday that no agents would be removed from the tour to be deployed elsewhere. About 23,000 agents are needed for the Tour de France in three weeks.

Only one night guard

There is a fear among many of the French captains that something might happen. The fear is not only that something will happen during the race, but also during stays at several venues, when the teams’ parking lot is often guarded by only one night watchman.

“We are a target,” Cofidis sports director Cedric Vasseur told France’s RMC Sport. There is complete chaos. People with bad intentions behind this are not afraid to try to attack the tour. With everything going on, it’s like I’m watching a movie.”

The Tour de France has previously dealt with people, movements or groups wanting to communicate their views through cycling. This is because the tour is the biggest media platform in France these weeks, with many hours of live TV. Last year, the Tour had to come to a halt for the climate activists who sat on the road. To prevent this and other actions, two police motorcycles have been driving in front of the faction since this year, tasked with searching for “suspicious activities”.

That hasn’t arrived yet on this year’s Tour. There were people holding signs along the way, with the now well-known “Justice for Nael” on it. Many French riders also spoke out against the riots and against the shooting of Nael.