Great Britain's Christopher Froome celebrates as he crosses the finish line of the 184 km eighth stage of the 103rd edition of the Tour de France. Photo / Getty Images.
Brian Cookson, the president of the UCI, has warned that the sport risks "something tragic" happening if fans at the Tour de France do not behave themselves. He was speaking before Chris Froome "lashed out" at a Colombian spectator who almost knocked him off his bike yesterday en route to
his stunning stage win in the Pyrenees which put him in the yellow jersey at the end of the first week.
Froome, not known for his descending skills, launched a surprise attack off the top of the Col de Peyresourde and soloed the last 15km for a brilliant win in Bagneres-de-Luchon.
But the brush with the fan was a reminder of last year when the Briton was targeted by spectators, many of whom had been whipped into a frenzy by speculation that Froome might be doping. The Team Sky rider was crowded, spat at multiple times and had a cup of urine thrown at him on one stage.
He implored fans yesterday to be careful. "It's fantastic having so many fans out on the road but I would urge the fans, please, don't run with the riders," he said. "It gets really dangerous."
