Protests hit Tour, police tear gas affects cyclists
BAGNERES DE-LUCHON: After fans had caused chaos in the Alps by setting off flares, tear gas from police accidentally wreaked havoc with Tour de France riders during the first stage in the Pyrenees on Tuesday.
Four-time champion Chris Froome was among a large group of riders whose eyes needed treatment when police intervened to disperse farmers protesting funding cuts by disrupting cycling’s biggest race.
Bales of hay blocked the road 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) into the 218-kilometre stage from Carcassonne to Bagneres-de-Luchon. Tour organisers said police used tear gas to move the protesters as the peloton approached.
Four-time champion Froome, race leader Geraint Thomas, and world champion Peter Sagan were among those affected. Froome was treated with eye drops and Sagan poured water over his face to clean his eyes.
Stage 16 resumed after a 15-minute delay. France’s Julian Alaphilippe, of the Quick Step team, won it.
“I was lucky that it did not affect me too much, I had a bit of tingling in the back of the throat but I used some water to wash it out,” said Thomas on the finish line in the spa town of Bagneresde-Luchon, after keeping his overall lead intact.
Froome, who remained in second place overall, 1 minute, 39 seconds behind Sky teammate Thomas, said the effects of the gas did not last long.
“I just sprayed some water, water in the eyes, water on the face,” he said. “Just felt throat and nose were burning, eyes were burning afterwards. But I think quite a lot of riders were in a similar situation. I think we’re all grateful for temporary neutralisation and to clear, to have a couple of (kilometres) to clear our eyes, nose out, then the racing continued again.”