Like all of Western Europe, France is currently facing scorching temperatures. A heat wave that does not spare the roads of the Tour eitherto the great displeasure of the runners and supporters, massed at the edge of the course under a beating sun.
Faced with this extreme heat, the Grande Boucle team is getting organized. In an attempt to bring down the temperature of the bitumen, which can sometimes rise to 60 or even 70 degrees in some places, water tanks are used. Thus, during the 13th stage on Friday between Le Bourg d’Oisans and Saint-Etienne, a tank abundantly watered the road, especially in the descent of the Côte de Saint-Romain-en-Gal.
The objective is simple: to prevent the bitumen from “sweating”, i.e. black and sticky patches from forming on the road, which can cause grip problems and present a danger for runners. .
According to André Bancala, the “Mister route” of the Tour de France, these water tanks will still be used in the coming days. In total, a stock of 10,000 liters of water is planned and might be exhausted at the end of the competition.
“Is that the Clean Tour we were promised?”
If the technique aims above all to avoid accidents, it does not appeal to climate defenders. On social networks, many Internet users were indignant at this practice, while forest fires are ravaging the Gironde.
The deputy mayor of Paris, David Belliard (EELV), meanwhile denounced the absurdity of this technique. “Is that the “clean ride” we were promised?!!“, railed the environmentalist on Twitter.