You're reading: Voice of America: As COVID-19 cases rise, Tour de France sets off

Voice of America: As COVID-19 cases rise, Tour de France sets off

Published Aug. 30, 2020. Updated Aug. 30 at 2:59 am

(From L to R) Belgian Thomas De Gendt, Tour de France's winner Colombian cyclist Egan Bernal, Spanish Jonathan Castroviejo, Belgian Yves Lampaert and Belgian Xandro Meurisse wait for the Natour Criterium Roeselare cycling race, on July 30, 2019 in Roeselare. - The race is part of the traditional 'criteriums', local races in which mainly cyclists who rode the 'Tour de France' in July compete.

Photo by AFP

The legendary Tour de France began Saturday, two months later than usual, and a day after France recorded its sharpest single-day coronavirus caseload since late March. The crowds, usually packing the start of the Tour de France, are absent this year. Just 100 spectators were allowed for the early afternoon kickoff at the Promenade des Anglais in Nice —where masks are now required for all outdoor spaces.