Christian Prudhomme

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Christian Prudhomme (born November 11, 1960) is a French sports journalist and general director of the Tour de France since 2005.

He replaced Jean-Marie Leblanc, whose assistant he was for two years. Before joining the Tour, he was a sports journalist for France Télévisions.

Mr. Prudhomme seems to be more business than sport when compared to his predecessor. In 2008 the new ASO organization under his rule has broken with the establish ruling body for cycling on a worldwide basis. There are valid concerns that his actions will tear at the fabric of cycling, just at a time with cycling (struggling with doping related issues) needs to have a unified front.

Also in 2008 - the decisions of the ASO are excluding, for the first time, the defending champion (Alberto Contador) without any pending allegations or charges - thus further tainting the marquee event for ASO - The Tour de France.