Police presence has been increased throughout France, including at the Tour de France. © ANSA / MOHAMMED BADRA

Tour de France: security concerns after riots

With the return home, safety concerns grow at the Tour de France. The unrest in France could also affect the most important sporting event in the Grande Nation, at the latest during the seventh stage that ends in Bordeaux on Friday.

July 03, 2023

From: apa/dpa

“We are following developments closely and are in constant communication with the Interior Ministry,” said tour director Christian Prudhomme.

This is how the tour reacts: The tour organization ASO wants to increase security precautions during the stages. These measures were only partially implemented in reference to the unrest triggered by the death of a 17-year-old from a police bullet during a traffic stop. The ASO is also concerned that climate activists could use the race for headline-grabbing actions. In the past there have been road blockages from time to time. In most cases, however, these could be removed before the peloton reached the respective locations.

This is how the drivers react: In the field, the situation in France is not really a big issue. The professionals hear the news, but are otherwise in the tour tunnel. Only among French professionals is the situation at home more present. “We are in the Basque Country and we are racing. But just because you're a cyclist doesn't mean you're a citizen. We are in a problematic situation,” said Guillaume Martin. From the teams' perspective, this issue generally lies with the ASO. She is responsible for ensuring that the tour runs smoothly.

The Tour de France is now rolling from the Basque Country to France. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

This is how politics reacts: President Emmanuel Macron gathered members of the government for an emergency meeting in the Elysée Palace on Sunday evening. In recent nights there have been violent riots, looting and arson attacks in many cities. Several hundred rioters were arrested every night. Macron had appealed to parents' responsibility due to the young age of many of the rioters. The grandmother of the dead teenager called on Sunday for calm to prevail.