Chris Froome says Tour de France organizers could struggle to prevent fans gathering to watch the race even if it is not open to the public because of the coronavirus.
The event has been rescheduled for August 29 from its original June 27 start date, but there are some major concerns about organization.
The French government says no mass gatherings can take place before September, but officials clarified the tour could go ahead on its new dates if the opening stages are managed correctly.
But Team Ineos rider Froome, a four-time Tour winner, sees problems.
"For sure we can put the race on without people standing on the roads and fans in that sense," Froome told former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen during an online chat.
"You're not going to get the same scenes as you would get going through these tunnels of people everywhere and all the rest of it.
"Maybe that's the version of the race we need to see this year.
"But the bigger question is would the organizers be able to keep people from actually coming out and gathering in large crowds?"
Froome, 34, missed last year's race after suffering serious injuries in a crash.
He has been hitting the gym every day during the virus lockdown to try and replicate what he would be doing this time of the year in preparation for the event.
"Some days I'm even doing up to six hours sitting on the stationary trainer - big days," he said. "A lot of the training I've been doing up until this point has been indoors ... so it's almost prepared me in a way for this whole lockdown period."
Chris Froome fears the Tour de France may struggle to keep fans away. AFP
