Tour de France halted after farmer protest

CHAOS engulfed the Tour de France overnight as bystanders brought the race to a halt, forcing police to intervene and accidently injure the riders.

Riders clean their eyes after tear gas was used during a farmers' protest.

STAGE 16 of the 2018 Tour de France was brought to a halt on Tuesday night (AEST) after protesting farmers interrupted proceedings.

Hay bales were thrown onto the narrow road between Carcassonne and Bagneres-de-Luchon, approximately 30kms into the day’s ride, forcing police to intervene as chaos ensued.

Reports claimed a number of riders needed treatment from medical staff after being hit with tear gas from an officer trying to subdue protesters.

There were no severe injuries reported following the incident, which stopped the peloton for around 15 minutes.

🚨🚨🚨Footage from @sporino who road thru the area of the protest that halted the race #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/bhmPSNZ02E

— NBCSN Cycling (@NBCSNCycling) July 24, 2018

World feed won’t show the replays for obvious reasons but it’ll make the news anyway, so here are the pics from the stupid attack. Why would one do that? It’s just dangerous! (Seems like Pepper spray was used by the police to fend of attackers) #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/UBLhVUJ7nC

— Daniel Freytag (@FRYTG) July 24, 2018

TV footage showed medical officers handing out eye drops to riders.

The ugly incident follows a number of sideline controversies at this year’s Tour de France. Abuse aimed at Team Sky and England’s Chris Froome tainted the historic race as some fans were busted spitting, punching and throwing smoke bombs at the cycling great.

Current leader Geraint Thomas has also copped a myriad of abuse with fans booing him off the podium.

Holy crap. The tour de France is now basically stopped after some people sprayed pepper spray or so and pushed hay rolls on the street?!? #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/m1r4cb62u9

— Daniel Freytag (@FRYTG) July 24, 2018

A protester holds a placard reading ‘For the Piege region to live’.

Great Britain's Geraint Thomas cleans his eyes after tear gas was used.

The pack of riders waits for the stage to resume.

Originally published as Tour de France halted after farmer protest