Public access limited during the Tour’s first two stages

The Alpes-Maritimes region of France has moved into the RED ZONE. That means the Coronavirus that’s ruining all our lives is actively circulating there. Hanging out atop mountains, chugging beers and looking for lungs to live inside of.

So, the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, in view of the health situation, has limited fans’ access to the climbs on the first two stages of the Tour de France, taking place on Saturday and Sunday.

“Access to the passes for public vehicles will be prohibited. The gendarmerie and police will disperse spectators at the foot of the passes.”

Only people on bicycles and on foot, equipped with a mask, will be authorized to access the Rimiez coast on Saturday and the Colmiane, Turini, Quatre Chemins and Eze passes on Sunday.

So. Probably avoid those climbs if you were planning on going. Unless you want to both catch a disease and be pistol-whipped by a gendarme in white leather trousers. “We want to show viewers around the world that we are beyond reproach,” says Christian Prudhomme.

Odds of the Tour making it all the way to Paris? We think they’ll manage it. But it’s probably prudent to take the yellow jersey early, just in case the race is cut short.