A WEEK IN THE TOUR DE FARCE.
THE TOUR DE FRANCE HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY VOLATILE OVER THE PAST WEEK, WITH BRITISH RIDER FROOME BEARING THE BRUNT OF THE IRE
WEDNESDAY (JULY 18)
A fan rushes at Team Sky’s Chris Froome and throws a cup of urine at his face. “That’s not acceptable,” he said, somewhat understatedly. Richie Porte, Froome’s mountain helper, was also punched in the ribs by a spectator. Fans appear to be upset that just before the Tour Froome was cleared of a doping allegation going back to his victory at the Spanish Vuelta in September.
FRIDAY (JULY 20)
Froome comes under more abuse, this time being spat at and mooned. SUNDAY Italian Gianni Moscon is kicked off the Tour after punching French opponent Elie Gesbert in the face mid-race Sunday. Moscon, part of Team Sky, was previously disqualified from the 2017 World Championships after video of him showed him being towed by the Italian car.
MONDAY
Sir Dave Brailsford, Team Sky’s principal, causes a stink by suggesting the spitting, the booing and the physical intimidation to which his riders had been subjected was a phenomenon particular to “French culture.” He later apologized saying: “My intention was never to criticize the entire French nation.” He added: “Of course, I don’t believe that spitting is a French cultural thing, but my point was that we only get that kind of thing at the Tour de France.”
TUESDAY
Angry local farmers roll hay bales on to the road as part of a demonstration against the Tour which caused police to intervene and use pepper spray. Unfortunately, they also hit some of the riders. Froome said his eyes were left stinging after he and teammate Geraint Thomas were hit by pepper spray.
WEDNESDAY
Froome is accidentally knocked off his bike by a gendarme after the finish Wednesday. The policeman mistook Froome for a fan in his rain jacket. There were heated words between the rider and the policeman before Froome rode off.