The safety of riders has turned into a vital issue in the wake of the pro-Palestinian protests at the Vuelta a España, which turned the final stages of the race into pure chaos.
Several stages were shortened, trees were knocked down, and Jonas Vingegaard's big celebration as overall winner in Madrid did not take place due to violent clashes in the Spanish capital.
Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme says that cycling is at a stage where it needs to rethink its safety measures, both for the riders and also for the spectators.
"Many things need to be done, and many things that have already been done. It is, of course, incredibly important to us – and especially to the riders, because they are the most important, but it is not just safety for them. It's also about the fans along the route. For the organizers, it applies to everyone. We must look at where we can optimize", says Christian Prudhomme to TV2 Sport.
In order to increase safety on particularly large mountain stages, there has been speculation about whether spectators should buy a ticket to get close to the riders. But Prudhomme is against that proposal.
"I want to be honest. For me, it is impossible. It is nonsense for me as the director and organizer of the Tour de France. For me, it is impossible because people want it to be free."
Tour de France starts with a team time trial in Barcelona on 4 July next year.