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A severe heatwave in southern France is pushing the cyclists at the Tour de France to their limits amid a debate about the consequences for the body and possible changes.
"It is not exactly healthy," said German rider Nico Denz, team-mate of last year's third-placed finisher Florian Lipowitz, after the fourth stage to Foix. "It is really brutal."
The 32-year-old praised roadside volunteers and team members.
"I don't know how many thousands of bottles they have already filled. It was definitely important to keep a cool head and get as much ice and water as possible," Denz told reporters.
It had already been hot since the race start in Barcelona on Saturday but Tuesday's stage marked a new peak.
The temperature was above 40 degrees Celsius. It is likely to have been even hotter on the asphalt road. It is also expected to be well above 30 degrees on Wednesday heading to Pau.
"I don't know whether this is still good for the body, but it had to be done and now I need a cold shower," rider Nils Politt told ARD.
With cooling vests, plenty of fluids, ice cubes on the back of their necks and ice baths after stages, the riders are trying to protect their bodies from overheating.
World governing body the UCI also made an exception, deciding that food bags could also be handed out in zones normally designated only for drinking bottles.
There are already discussions about shortening stages or moving them to earlier times of day. The latter in particular could be difficult for logistical reasons and because of TV broadcasts, but more riders are voicing concerns.
"Of course it is borderline," Austrian rider Marco Haller told ZDF. "We really should think about it, sit down and find a constructive solution. It's not football where you would have a hydration break after 25 minutes."
Ralph Denk, the Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe team boss of Denz and Lipowitz, was more cautious.
"I think it is part and parcel of cycling, including here at the Tour de France. Everyone knows it is hot," he said. "I'm always open to discussions but you really have to discuss it as a whole concept. Making ad-hoc decisions here and there would certainly be the wrong move."
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"It is not exactly healthy," said German rider Nico Denz, team-mate of last year's third-placed finisher Florian Lipowitz, after the fourth stage to Foix. "It is really brutal."
The 32-year-old praised roadside volunteers and team members.
"I don't know how many thousands of bottles they have already filled. It was definitely important to keep a cool head and get as much ice and water as possible," Denz told reporters.
It had already been hot since the race start in Barcelona on Saturday but Tuesday's stage marked a new peak.
The temperature was above 40 degrees Celsius. It is likely to have been even hotter on the asphalt road. It is also expected to be well above 30 degrees on Wednesday heading to Pau.
"I don't know whether this is still good for the body, but it had to be done and now I need a cold shower," rider Nils Politt told ARD.
With cooling vests, plenty of fluids, ice cubes on the back of their necks and ice baths after stages, the riders are trying to protect their bodies from overheating.
World governing body the UCI also made an exception, deciding that food bags could also be handed out in zones normally designated only for drinking bottles.
There are already discussions about shortening stages or moving them to earlier times of day. The latter in particular could be difficult for logistical reasons and because of TV broadcasts, but more riders are voicing concerns.
"Of course it is borderline," Austrian rider Marco Haller told ZDF. "We really should think about it, sit down and find a constructive solution. It's not football where you would have a hydration break after 25 minutes."
Ralph Denk, the Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe team boss of Denz and Lipowitz, was more cautious.
"I think it is part and parcel of cycling, including here at the Tour de France. Everyone knows it is hot," he said. "I'm always open to discussions but you really have to discuss it as a whole concept. Making ad-hoc decisions here and there would certainly be the wrong move."
Continue reading...
