It is with regret, I will not be releasing a Spotter Guide for the 2015 Tour de France.
Despite an awesome response from 2/3rds of the teams for reference and rider lists, one team, Team BMC, refused to participate in the guide or approve their inclusion unless I was fully licensed by ASO, the organiser of the Tour, essentially becoming an official guide.
This is the first time in eleven years that ANY team has had an issue with a FREE Fan Spectator Guide. Most are very helpful and welcoming of extra exposure, but I have to respect their decision.
While I have media accreditation with the ASO, with less than a week to go before the event, I have been unable to get a response from the organisers for their approval. They quite rightly have bigger things to deal with!
Following discussions with other experienced media, I have since been advised, without full approval of the ASO, producing a guide, albeit a clearly unofficial non-sponsored not for profit, free download promoting their event could, although unlikely, open me to other issues.
Ultimately, this is not a clear area as this would have been a free guide for Fans to download and as such is no different from a magazine or newspaper producing a Tour de France preview or guide (which one would assume with increased sales, so a financial gain), but I can’t take that risk.
As this is a free not for profit guide, I simply cannot risk my livelihood or my family security.
I hope you respect my decision.
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