“In a way, the tour is back”
In view of climate change, did you have to do any convincing to bring the tour to Denmark? After all, the tour entourage has to travel a lot more, then flies from Denmark back to France.
Prudhomme: Climate protection is an important issue. We are in Copenhagen because it is the number one cycling city in the world. What is very important for us in this debate is teaching people to behave better in relation to the climate. And I’m afraid that’s easier in Denmark than in France.
The corona pandemic is not over yet, but this year fans will be able to return in larger numbers. How big was the problem, how big is it now?
Prudhomme: the Tour de Francethese are the Champions, but also the many spectators. The tour is the smile on the faces of the fans. With the pandemic, you couldn’t wear that smile on your face. Of course it’s going to be a lot better this time because it’s going to be the Tour as we know it again. The Tour is in Denmark for the first time, but in a way it’s back – with all the people along the way.
The Tour is back with a big favorite – Tadej Pogacar. Will he dominate the race again?
Prudhomme: Of course he’s the big favourite, but you never know what’s going to happen on tour. For example here in Denmark – we wait for the wind (laughs).
Pogacar’s performances always raise doubts. How do you rate that?
Prudhomme: He’s the boss of the tour – it’s always the same, you know. Pogacar is obviously very talented. He’s still so young and has already won the Tour twice. Eddy Merckx, the greatest rider in history, had never competed in the Tour at that age. Pogacar was very good at 19, at 22 but we don’t know what the future holds.