The popularity of the Tour de France among French people has fallen dramatically, according to a survey by pollsters Ifop for this week’s edition of the Sunday newspaper Sud Ouest Dimanche.

The survey claims that only 44 percent of French people said they liked the Tour which is down eight percentage points from 2007 and five points from 2008.

It says the public has grown increasingly disillusioned with the event since the slew of doping-related scandals of recent years.

That eight percent dip in three years compares with a seven percent slip in the 43 years between 1964, when it had a 59 percent popularity rating, and 2007.

Young people in particular have turned away from the race which was started in 1903 and is considered a national institution.

According to the survey, 72 percent of people under the age of 35 have no interest in the event. That contrasts with 50 percent of people between 35 and 49 and 34 percent of people aged 65 or over.

The 2010 Tour begins in Rotterdam on Saturday and ends in Paris on July 25.

Article: AFP