Millau Viaduct: To be part of the
2006 Tour de France. [ Photo: Stuart
Isett, The New York Times ]
The New York Times reports that the Millau Viaduct opened in southern France on Thursday. Billed as the highest road bridge in the world, it’s 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long and 343 meters (1125 feet) tall at its tallest point. That makes the Millau Viaduct taller than the Eiffel Tower by about 43m (139 ft).
The location of the bridge, part of the A75 highway between Paris and Barcelona, is in good location to be part of the Tour de France. In fact, the New York Times article says, “The {Societe du} Tour de France announced recently that its annual bicycle race will be routed under the bridge next year.”
My question is, why not have one of the stages ride across it? In 1999, the Tour included the Passage du Gois during Stage 2. The Passage du Gois is an 18th century cobblestone causeway that is subject to tidal flooding. As a result of the slippery conditions, there was a 10-rider crash that split the peloton.
I think that crossing the Millau Viaduct wouldn’t be any more dangerous than the Passage du Gois, and given the features of the viaduct intended to deflect the wind, would probably be safer. [ Registration required to read The New York Times article ]