April 1/20 0:56 am - UCI to Combine Grand Tours

Posted by Editor on 04/1/20
 

April Fools.

The UCI has been working with organizers of the three Grand Tours - Italy, France and Spain - to develop a competition plan for the 2020 road season, which has already been severely shortened by the coronavirus pandemic. The Giro d'Italia has already been postponed, and the Tour de France is beginning to look like it may also be affected.

A preliminary proposal has been put forth for a 'Tour of the Mediterranean', which would combine segments of all three and take place at the end of August over 21 stages. It would also require pushing the Road Worlds back by a week.

Beginning in Rome, seven stages would head north through Italy to the French border, with the next seven stages taking place in France, before the final seven stages would take the riders to the Spanish capital of Madrid. Some transfers would enable the race to include classic routes from each event.

However, the event has not been finalized, with disagreements over the schedule holding up an announcement. It appears that the French are demanding that the final seven stages take place in France with the finish in Paris; claiming that they are the biggest and 'most important' event.

"Typical French", said one source close to the discussions, "always got to have the last word."