A final-minute Etape du Tour de France date change has left riders burdened, offended and probably out of pocket.
The 15,000 individuals have been knowledgeable by e-mail final evening that the occasion – one of many largest of its form on this planet – will probably be introduced ahead by a day to Saturday July 6 to permit folks to vote within the French elections.
Because it does yearly, ‘the Etape’ follows the route of a Tour de France stage – this 12 months the 138.6km from Good to Col de la Couillole, which the professionals will deal with on stage 20.
100 Climbs writer Simon Warren informed Biking Weekly the date change was “a logistical nightmare”.
“I am unable to imagine it,” he mentioned. “We should always have the ability to make it. But it surely means every part’s going to be chasing round with bikes… we’re gonna get to mattress late, no meals, after which be up the subsequent day.”
Warren, who’s flying out with two others on the Friday, mentioned the plan had initially been to “exit Friday, get checked in, have a very nice enjoyable day Saturday, get signed on after which we’re recent for Sunday. And now that is all out of the water.
He added: “It is bought beneath my pores and skin… I’ve primarily based my complete 12 months round this sooner or later. I had a horrible Etape final 12 months but it surely was an incredible occasion. I might by no means been out earlier than so I used to be determined to go once more.”
The newest race content material, interviews, options, opinions and skilled shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
His group had costed a flight and lodge change at £400 that was “virtually value eager about”, Warren mentioned. However he identified the French aren’t the one ones who have to vote that week: “We have additionally bought to vote on the Thursday. We have got to ensure we try this earlier than we set off.”
With the Etape du Tour retaining registration open till 9pm on the Friday, Warren and plenty of others ought to have the ability to get away with out rearranging journey. However with 15,000 coming from throughout the globe, not everyone seems to be prone to be so lucky.
“While you experience the Etape there’s folks from in every single place on this planet,” Warren identified. “They’re coming from Australia, from Colombia, from in every single place.”
Thursday’s e-mail, which Biking Weekly has seen, knowledgeable riders of the change with out an apology, and informed riders: “Please understand that the route and situations of the occasion stay unchanged,” suggesting that there will probably be no refunds or deferments provided.
Any try to make clear this goes unanswered, mentioned Simon Rider, who can also be entered within the occasion.
“They are not responding to something. If you happen to e-mail them you simply get a ‘response automatique‘,” he mentioned. “I’ve tweeted them, they have not responded. If you happen to go on twitter you’ll be able to see all of the folks going ‘What?!’.”
With most individuals prone to have booked Friday flights, they might now be left tight for time, Rider identified. However there are different logistical issues. His group of 5 had initially deliberate to depart a automobile close to the end so they may drive again to Good after the occasion. Now the time merely is not there, so that they’re taking a look at inns close to the end – which comes with its personal points.
“Then we’re taking a look at being on the prime of the mountain, on a Sunday, on election day, attempting to get a practice again to good, or worse, having to experience!” he mentioned.
Rider predicts that with so many individuals having been left with logistical points and bills the occasion may finally be referred to as off utterly.
“I believe it is a prelude to them cancelling it,” he mentioned. “They will level to the social media storm and the varied articles. After which I think about they’re going to go to the French authorities and say, ‘X variety of folks have threatened to cancel, can we’ve some compensation. So they arrive out complete, however all of the those that have entered the occasion, we’ll be in tatters by way of failing to get refunds on flights and every part else.
“It is very irritating. It places you off coming into huge sportives,” he mentioned.
This is not the primary time the Etape du Tour has confronted points – it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid.
The organisers have been contacted by CW.
