Individual rides within a 100-kilometer radius resume from May 11th

Even if it remains conditional, depending on the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic in the coming days, the gradual lifting of lockdown from May 11 should allow athletes, and cyclists in particular, to ride outdoors again on normal rides, but on the condition of riding alone and within a 100 km radius around their home.

By Sébastien Jacquet – Photo: Zipp

Visibility remains limited and unclear for many areas of activity after the announcements of the first elements of the government’s deconfinement plan, but individual physical and sporting activity, and therefore cycling, is seeing a glimmer of hope and should be authorized again from May 11.

Let’s clarify that it had never been forbidden since the beginning of the lockdown, being allowed as “an individual physical activity, within a one-kilometer radius around the home, limited to one hour per day.” Leaving everyone free to take or not take their responsibilities, with emergency services announced as saturated, to want to do round trips or “laps” in the neighborhood… The most reasonable logically chose wisdom and the “hamster” way on the indoor trainer.

This time, the conditions have been broadened and specified: cyclists will be able to ride, alone, within a radius not exceeding 100 kilometers from their home. The announcement should be taken with caution as the terms of deconfinement will be specified in the coming weeks, and could be more or less restrictive depending on the regions. Let’s remember that in this very special health situation, the authorization to resume cycling on May 11 on the road or on trails must not be done without maximum awareness, responsibility, and prudence!

Regarding competitions, none can take place before the end of July at the earliest, and any gathering of more than 5,000 people remains forbidden until September. Thus, amateur races, triathlon events, sportives, and other mass sporting events will remain canceled until this date.

The measure obviously raises the question of the return of cycling competitions for professional riders, as part of their preparation for the hyper-concentrated end-of-season calendar envisaged by the UCI and the main race organizers. Uncertainty also remains regarding the holding or not of the Tour de France, postponed and announced from August 29 to September 20. Adjustments could be proposed for the Grand Départ in Nice and decisions will be refined very soon… But what’s the point of showing up at the start of such a physical event if optimal preparation conditions are not guaranteed? And this, even if cycling teams should soon benefit from professional authorization to come and go, gather, and meet for training camps, under strict conditions, in very small groups.

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