Why is Lachlan Morton Cycling in Tour de France All by Himself?
Lachlan Morton is an Australian adventurer racer who competes World Tour road race in gravel and endurance racing. He will be taking the 2020 Tour de France all by himself. And by himself means that no peloton, crew or anything like other cyclists will follow him.
Why is he doing this? Because lone-riding is how the pioneering cyclists used to do it in the old days of the Tour de France. Cyclists had to go through rough terrain, had to eat on their own and sleep whenever they could. They even rode at night. And that is what Lachlan Morton is attempting to do.
He will start simultaneously as the 2020 Tour de France takes place, except a bit later. That way, he wouldn't get caught up by the other cyclist in the race or fall on the same track. While the teams will cover almost 3,500km, Morton, on the other hand, has to cover 5,500km more or less. And it includes a hill climb. He is an optimist and thinks it will be a homage to the old day's Tour de France. Cyclists used to ride alone, fixed their cycle, eat-in cafes or make their food, rested wherever they could when the race first began. And at the end, one winner was announced. That is what racing means for Morton.
Lachlan's sponsor, EF Education First Pro Cycling, will donate 500 bicycles to a non-profit cycling organization. It is for the people who need a transport vehicle but cannot afford it. Morton knows the risk of the road and falling behind the race as he is a one-person army. But in the end, the thrill of the adventure like old times rushes in his blood. He says that it is what he has prepared for all his life.