Edition 2021 of the Large Loop should be from Britain. The region is a candidate even if she has to deal, as elsewhere in France, the criticism of elected EELV that would like a Tour less costly and less polluting.The departure of the riders from the town of Fougères in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine, July 12, 2018 (photod’illustration) (ALEXANDRE MARCHI / MAXPPP)
You may know Monday, August 10, the name of the town that will launch the edition 2021 of the Tour de France. Since the announcement of the withdrawal of Copenhagen, all eyes are turning towards Brittany. The regional Council is an official candidate but he must deal with the enthusiasm of a very moderate environmentalists, including Rennes. And this is not the only region where the Great Loop and its economic model is criticized by the defenders of the environment.
“A format dated”
After the abandonment of the Danes, a few days ago, due to the coronavirus, the organisers of the Tour de France are starting to probe the Britain. The municipality of Rennes is contacted. The mayor (PS), Nathalie Appéré, then consult its allies environmentalists on the topic. Answer : it is a bad idea. The assistant to the mobilities Valerie Faucheux confirms to France Bleu Armorique, the Tour pollute and that it is “a format that is dated”. Then, treading the leader of the group, in a text message to franceinfo, elected officials, environmentalists have not expressed their views on the Tour.
It is necessary to go to see the senator breton EELV Joel Labbé for clarification. “The decision was taken by mutual agreement within the majority rennes, socialists and environmentalists, indicates the elected. One can also speak of the issue of the money that is put into these events. The reception of a start of the Tour de France, it is of the order of 700 000 euros. There are economic returns but on the other hand you can no longer play like this with public money”. Rennes do not therefore propose to be in town start of the Tour but the town hall slides modestly, as the chief place of Ille-and-Villaine is “available” for city stage.
The plastic generated by the Tour
Allergy Tour de France is not an exception rennes. Other newly elected officials from the green wave of the recent municipal poll. In Grenoble, a few months ago, Eric Piolle, mayor EELV re-elected, had conditioned the return of the cycling competition in his city, sharing the bill with the city. And even if it welcomes the passage of the Tour this year, the municipal official grenoble, france remains critical on other aspects of the caravan. “What is certain is that the Turn must also change, especially in the mountain, the fight against pollution generated by all this plastic is obviously fundamental, “explained Eric Piolle to franceinfo a few weeks ago. And we continue to bring this message to vi-à-vis the organizers of the Tour.”
Provoke a debate on the “sport business”
In general, the Greens do not like what they call “sport business” and the Tour is no exception according to the leader of the environmentalists in the region of Occitania, Gérard Onesta : “there is always a part of privatization of the public space for major sporting events. The Tour de France belongs to a private company that has shareholders that expect dividends.”
And the popular dimension of the Tour de France, the public’s enthusiasm ? Joël Labbé, elect EEL the regional council of Brittany said not to forget it, “but at some point, it is necessary to say things. The debate is necessary and so much the better if it is caused”, he said. “Is this that you could not imagine to keep the side the rejoicing of the people without having excess ?, wondered Gérard Onesta. Often in the sports business, the reason remained in the locker room.” The Greens who want to open a debate, but as a sign that the Tower is a sensitive issue, the national directorate of EELV is well kept reacting to the controversy rennes this week.
