Tour chief slams farmers
TOUR DE FRANCE chief Christian Prudhomme lashed out at farmers who blocked the 16th stage yesterday and forced several riders, including Britain’s yellow jersey holder Geraint Thomas, to receive treatment for tear gas.
Farmers protesting about the loss of rights for agricultural land in the Aude region blocked the road with bales of hay and around 50 sheep some 26 kilometres (16 miles) into the day’s ride from Carcassonne to Bagneresde-Luchon in the Pyrenees.
In their efforts to clear the protestors, officers from France’s national gendarmerie used tear gas, which was blown into the faces of dozens of riders as they approached.
Although the race resumed following a 15-minute interruption, Prudhomme was furious at the finish.
“A cyclist’s job is dangerous as it is,” said Prudhomme. “We shouldn’t be adding extra dangers to their job. They take enough risks already. I insist. We have to let them pass unhindered.”
Officials from the Aude Prefecture announced an investigation had been opened into the protest.
“In the face of the hostility from protestors who refused to clear the road, officers were obliged to push back the protestors in order to clear obstacles from the road,” said a statement from the Aude Prefecture.
Race leader Thomas, of Team Sky, was one of several riders forced to clean his eyes and throat with water, although the Welshman said he was “okay in the end”.
Television images showed Tour de France medical officers handing out eye drops to riders including green jersey points leader Peter Sagan.
This year’s Tour de France has been marked by a series of incidents on the sidelines including abuse directed at Team Sky and Froome.
Amid a general feeling of suspicion surrounding Sky and their sheer domination of the race, Froome has been spat at and manhandled, Thomas has been booed off the podium and some of Sky’s staff have also faced abuse.
Prudhomme, who has already called for rowdy fans to curtail their behaviour, added: “We don’t block the road for the riders.
“From the first to the last, the French, the foreigners, the yellow jersey and the rest.” – AFP