A spectator who disrupted the Tour de France’s fourteenth leg was apprehended shortly after the incident on Saturday, according to the French newspaper Le Parisien.
During the Plat d’Adet final climb, the spectator had deliberately impeded race leaders Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates, and his pursuer Jonas Vingegaard from Team Visma-Lease a Bike, by throwing a bag of crisps at them.
The French police acted swiftly post-incident, extracting the man from the crowd and escorting him away in a police van.
Although an initial attempt to interrogate him proved impossible due to his intoxicated state, he was subsequently detained until sober, to be questioned today. He’s reportedly being accused of intentional attacks and injuries.
Credit: Belga
In response to the incident, the Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) has indicated it will seek legal action against the spectator, says CPA chairman Adam Hansen.
Despite the disruption, Pogacar managed to win the race solo, shaking his head momentarily before resuming. Vingegaard arrived second, behind by 39 seconds, while Remco Evenepoel of Soudal Quick-Step finished third, lagging by 1:10.
