LEADER GERAINT: SHOW SOME DECENCY

spit on us and don’t affect the race.”

Froome refused to comment after a portly spectator in a T-shirt emerged from huge crowds at the roadside to cuff the four-times champion on the back of his right shoulder about four miles from the top of the race’s signature climb.

Minutes earlier, a spectator appeared to spit at Froome – confirming pre-race fears he would run the gauntlet having been cleared two weeks ago of taking excess asthma medication.

Thomas, who extended his lead in the Yellow Jersey with another supremely-timed run to win back-to-back mountain stages, said: “Have a bit of decency and let us do the racing.”

Vincenzo Nibali (right) was knocked off his bike on a crowded stretch of the final climb and nearly brought down Thomas with him. The Welshman, who now leads Froome by 1min 39sec in a British one-two on the general classification, said: “I clipped Nibali’s back wheel but managed to stay upright.

“Obviously that kind of thing is not good for the race.”

Nibali remounted and finished.