Chris Froome may be closing in on a second Tour de France title but the Brit continues to have his detractors after being spat on during stage 19.
The incident happened after Froome was climbing up a hill which was surrounded by spectators either side, with one fan breaking from the bunch to gesture at the Team Sky rider before spitting in his face.
It's not the first time Froome has been targeted during the Tour, with the 30-year-old claiming a spectator threw urine at him during stage 14.
Froome said after the stage: "I didn't see the spit but it's appalling. We are human beings primarily, then sportsmen. Don't come to spit, punch or throw urine.
"Fortunately for me I didn't see it but a few journalists have brought that to my attention. That is appalling behaviour. You can't come to a bike race and punch riders, or throw urine at them or spit at them. That's not acceptable."
One more major test stands between Froome and a second Tour de France title - but Nairo Quintana will push the Briton all the way up Alpe-d'Huez on Saturday.
Froome had made serene progress until Friday's 138-kilometres 19th stage from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to La Toussuire when his rivals managed to expose him, and Quintana (Movistar) trimmed his overall advantage to two minutes 38 seconds.
Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) won, claiming some consolation for his poor title defence, after making his initial move when Froome adjusted his bike after a mechanical stop on the Col de la Croix de Fer.
-Daily Mail