The Tour de France has a big problem... and it's getting worse

Unacceptable behavior

The Tour de France is faced with an uncomfortable issue – its fans! Every year, Tour de France riders complain more about the behaviour of fans on Tour de France roads.

Placed in police custody

On the final climb of the Plateau de Beille on 14 July, one man caused a massive stir by throwing chips in the faces of Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard. He would be arrested for his obnoxious behaviour, and released the following day, RMC Sports reported.

Photo credit: Screenshot NPO Live

The Col de la Loze blockage last year

Almost a year to the day as another notable Tour disruption took place. On 15 July 2023, spectators gathered at the Col de la Loze obstructed motorcycles, which had stalled, blocking the road for the riders, according to French publication L'Équipe.

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'Come on Opi-Omi'

In 2021, a young woman hit several runners with her 'Allez Opi-Omi' sign, causing a serious fall in the peloton. She was subsequently fined 1,200 euros ($1,300, £1,000) according to the French publication Libération.

Froome targeted by glasses of urine

In 2015, Christopher Froome received a glass of urine on his face from a spectator who called him a "dirty dope", according to Eurosport.

Increasingly frequent incidents

Unfortunately, spectator incidents on the Tour de France roads are becoming increasingly frequent, and riders are unsurprisingly fed up. Richard Carapaz is one rider whose frustrations spilled over this year and was seen shouting at spectators to get out of his way on a particularly brutal climb on 13 July, as reported by Eurosport.

TV Campaign

In the advertisements promoting the Tour de France on France TV, riders offer a clear message to spectators to be careful on the roads and not to hinder their path.

Alcohol comes into play

So, why does it keep it happening, then? According to 'Eurosport', the Tour de France audience is becoming younger and younger… and increasingly drunk too.

“He had a very drunken afternoon”

Indeed, a witness explained to Le Parisien that the "chip thrower" was drunk: "He was with a group of very nice friends, cycling fans, like us. We got to know each other well, talked about everything, cycling, from Brittany and played shuffleboard. But he had a very drunken afternoon. The gesture did not seem premeditated. It's the first time he's done something stupid like that."

Riders in danger

More than ever, runners are in danger and hampered by these spectators, who run and follow them only a few centimetres away. Also on July 13, Tadej Pogačar rode over a lost flip-flop on the road, left behind by a spectator who had come too close to the action.

Almost a major incident

While the incident didn't cause any real concern for the riders, this kind of obstruction could have easily resulted in a major accident for Tadej Pogačar, and potentially a number of other riders.

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