With huge crowds expected to line the roads when the Tour de France departs from Leeds in less than a month’s time, organisers ASO have launched a campaign to improve rider safety.
Cycling is unique in how close fans can get to their heroes – both before races, and during them – but there is a line that should not be crossed.
Huge crowds flocking fierce climbs is part of the appeal of the sport, the Alpe d’Huez, for example, would not be half as special without Dutch corner and the crowds packing the route.
But while they play an important role in supporting the sport and the riders, the message the Tour de France is trying to get across is to know the limit.
Do not overstep the mark – support the riders, but respect them and also keep a close rein on any children or animals.
Franco Bongiorno’s heartbreak on Monte Zoncolan on the penultimate stage of the Giro d’Italia was a reminder of the downside to the tifosi – forced to unclip because a fan pushed him into Michael Rogers’ back wheel.
And Bongiorno’s story is certainly not unique, Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) at the 2013 Paris-Roubaix just one recent one which springs to mind.
Thousands are expected to pack the Yorkshire roads for stages one and two of the 101st Tour de France, and the same in Cambridge, Essex and London for stage three.
No doubt, among them, will be the usual eclectic mix of mankinis, superheroes, pandas – maybe even the odd farmer running up a hill with a pig under his arm – well it happened last year anyway!
All of it adds to the unique culture of cycling – a culture which will also allow fans to get up close with man and machine in the team paddock before the stages.
But the respect afforded by teams to their supporters works both ways.
You do not have to look far from home to see what affect losing that respect can have – just imagine if all stages were policed to the same extent as say, a football match.
A topless man, flare in hand, putting the athletes and fellow supporters in danger? At Wembley, he would be considered a hooligan and treated as such, so do not do it on the road side either.
The majority of fans lining the road side will do so to catch a glimpse of their heroes and soak up the unbeatable Tour atmosphere.
Fans on the Emerald Isle set the benchmark with the support they gave the Giro d’Italia. Yorkshire is set to turn yellow for the weekend and the world’s best will be racing along the road side.
Please go and support them and take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity – but respect the riders too.
