Some good news for cycling fans around the world as it has been confirmed that the 2020 edition of the Tour de France, which is perhaps the most prestigious cycling event in the world, would hold. This is important as the possibility of the event taking place as usual was cast in doubt following the scourge of the pandemic which forced sporting events to take a break and countries of the world to be on lockdown. The yearly event which was originally scheduled to hold from the June 27 to July 19 would now start on August 29 and finish on September 20.
The race, which is in its 107th year, would feature riders from all over the world, 19 teams, and cover a distance of 3,470km, ridden across in a total of 21 stages. In the tournament, 19 UCI WorldTeams are mandated, or obliged, to enter the race. However, the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), who are the organisers of the Tour, extended invitation to three second-tier UCI Professional Continental teams to participate in the event.
It would begin in Nice and end in Paris after the riders cross the Champs-Élysées. The track would feature a series of climbs with four new ones added to this year’s edition. As usual, there would be two days of no race for the cyclers to rest.
Egan Bernal of Team Ineos would have a shot at defending his title this year, with French rider, Thibaut Pinot aiming for gold and hoping to be the first French man to win the event in 35 years. He participated in last year’s tour but had to leave at stage 19. Riders Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome would not be trying out at this event, but would instead participate at the two other tours Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España holding later this year.
The teams participating in the race are:
UCI WorldTeams:
AG2R La Mondiale
Astana
Bahrain–McLaren
Bora–Hansgrohe
CCC Team
Cofidis
Deceuninck–Quick-Step
EF Pro Cycling
Groupama–FDJ
Israel Start-Up Nation
Lotto–Soudal
Mitchelton–Scott
Movistar Team
NTT Pro Cycling
Team Ineos
Team Jumbo–Visma
Team Sunweb
Trek–Segafredo
UAE Team Emirates
UCI Professional Continental teams:
Arkéa–Samsic
B&B Hotels–Vital Concept
Total Direct Énergie
Written by: Leon Osamor
