Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme Reflects on Cheating, Testing, and the Race's Future
As the Tour de France nears its conclusion, Director Christian Prudhomme reflects on a range of topics, from the ongoing battle against cheating to the impact of climate change on the race.
Cheating and Testing
In an interview, Prudhomme acknowledges the existence of cheating in all aspects of life, including sports, business, and politics. When asked about the overnight testing conducted by the International Testing Agency (ITA), he emphasizes the importance of an independent testing agency, which was a hard-fought victory.
"I understand the emotions of the riders, but we fought for years to have an independent testing agency," Prudhomme says. "It’s here now. We or I don’t know when the tests are done, and I don’t have the right to know because it’s an independent agency mandated by the UCI. So I don’t want to interfere in what they are doing."
Prudhomme also questions the necessity of such testing, suggesting that it might be more relevant in other sports. "The only question I’d pose is whether this control would happen in another sport," he adds.
Climate Change and Race Adaptations
The Tour de France has faced challenges due to extreme heat, with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees in the first week. Prudhomme acknowledges the reality of climate change, noting the complexity of predicting weather conditions for future races.
To combat these issues, Prudhomme suggests making stages shorter, which would reduce the time riders spend under the scorching sun. "If you look at the length of stages 10 years ago, you had seven, eight, nine stages with more than 190km. This year, there’s just two over that mark," he explains.
Additionally, the race is exploring new routes, including shaded mountains, to provide a different experience for riders and viewers.
Impressions of the Race
Prudhomme expresses his admiration for Tadej Pogačar's dominant performance, securing his fifth Tour de France win. He also highlights the impressive performances of Remco Evenepoel and Quinn Simmons, praising their efforts and contributions to the race.
"I was very impressed, very surprised by Solaison and very impressed by his [stage 16] TT," Prudhomme says of Evenepoel. "Even if he’s a three-time world time-trial champion and Olympic champion, it was the manner in which he won."
Prudhomme also praises Simmons, noting his generosity and the impact of his attacks on the race.
French Fans and Riders
Prudhomme acknowledges the exceptional support of French fans, drawing a comparison to the 2014 grand départ in Yorkshire. However, he also highlights the need for improvement in French riders' performance, expressing a desire to see a French stage winner in Paris.
"Imagine a French stage winner in Paris," he says with a smile. "It’s nice that you don’t ask me any questions on French riders who risk scoring a zero [in stage wins] for the first time [this century]."
In conclusion, Prudhomme's reflections offer a comprehensive overview of the Tour de France, addressing various challenges and achievements, and providing insight into the race's future direction.
