LUCHON, France — In a Tour de France that has been marked by spectator-induced danger, defending champion Chris Froome and several other riders rode into police tear gas intended for protesters early on Tuesday’s stage.
The race came to a stop for about 15 minutes as eyedrops and water were used to treat several riders including Froome, Geraint Thomas, the current race leader and another member of Team Sky, as well as Peter Sagan, the world champion.
The addition of tear gas to the long list of indignities the riders endure over the course of the three week race appears to be without precedent in the modern Tour.