Tear gas used at Tour de France after farmers protest during Stage 16

Sport360 staff 18:30 24/07/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • After a delay in proceedings thanks to a protest by farmers, the 16th stage of the Tour de France got underway on Tuesday.

    Tear gas was used to break up the gathering as farmers demonstrated against a cut in state aid.

    Team Sky’s overall leader Geraint Thomas was among the riders affected by the tear gas and was seen rubbing his nose following the incident.

    A video footage that emerged after the sequence of events showed liquid being blown back into the advancing peloton after being sprayed by an officer from France’s national gendarmerie.

    Geraint Thomas 1

    Apparently, Tour de France medical officers did hand out eye drops to riders including green jersey points leader Peter Sagan.

    The 218km stage which ends in Bagneres-de-Luchon restarted at 12:36 (10:36 GMT) after an interruption that lasted around 15 minutes.

    “After a 15 minute-long interruption caused by protesters, the race is back on,” organisers said in a brief statement on leTour.fr.

    Recommended