See the brutality of the Tour de France and courage of the riders

THE 105th Tour de France might be the most brutal and dramatic in recent history with a series of crashes and bizarre incidents in the opening fortnight. Check out all the highlights in our picture special.

A dramatic, brutal Tour de France.

PHILIPPE Gilbert’s spectacular and horrifying crash and subsequent withdrawal from the Tour de France is just the latest in a long list of falls at this year’s race.

The 105th edition of Le Tour might be the most brutal in recent history.

The drama began on Stage 1 with Chris Froome hitting the deck late in the stage and the following day saw the first retirements with Luis Leon Sanchez suffering a broken elbow and Tsgabu Grmay ill.

TEAR GAS: “MY EYES ARE BURNING”, MORE TOUR DRAMA

BIG FALL: GILBERT’S FINISHES STAGE AFTER HORROR CRASH

DISASTER: CRASH ENDS PORTE’S TOUR HOPES AGAIN

Since some of the Tour’s biggest names have fallen, including Aussie hope Richie Porte and fellow maillot jaune contenders Rigoberto Uran and Vincenzo Nibali.

Adding to the drama, Gianni Moscon was disqualified for punching a rival and on Wednesday morning, riders were caught up in a cloud of tear gas.

Check out some of the best (worst) pictures so far. GRAPHIC IMAGE WARNING

Insult to injury: Not-so-flattering photo of Chris Froome rinsing pepper spray from his eyes on Stage 16 of Tour de France #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/vIg1QlEfIw

— Neal Rogers (@nealrogers) July 24, 2018

Día 14... @AstanaTeam pic.twitter.com/nBhxNldF38

— luis leon sanchez (@LLEONSANCHEZ) July 21, 2018

Richie Porte and Jens Keukeleire recover after their crash on Stage 9.

Richie Porte after breaking his collarbone in a Tour de France crash.

DEVASTATING! #TDF2018 just began on 🇨🇦📺 and heard Stage 9 #sbstdf 🇦🇺🎙💛💚 intro made *prior* to @richie_porte crash; feed now live; I share the sadness 😭 of the #couchpeloton 🛋 🐄🚜🌾🎨🌻🏰⛪🚵‍♂️ https://t.co/nyCQaNrGXm

— Dorothy Tomiuk 🚲 (@Dorothy_Tomiuk) July 15, 2018

Taking flight 🙈 Bring on the rest day #TDF2018
📸 @benoit_tessier pic.twitter.com/JWU3d7SsGF

— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) July 15, 2018

A crash with 17km to go saw Polka Dot jersey holder @Tomashuuns (@TrekSegafredo), @DanMartin86 (@TeamUAEAbuDhabi), and @tonymartin85 (@katushacycling) all caught up. It was captured on camera by @TimoRoosen (@LottoJumbo_road). Thankfully all riders made it to the finish #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/dMOieW2R2h

— Velon CC (@VelonCC) July 14, 2018

Denmark's Michael Valgren rides on with a ripped jersey.

We've all been very scared, but @PhilippeGilbert is ok and will go back on the bike. 💪
Après une grosse frayeur, @PhilippeGilbert semble aller bien et va repartir. 💪#TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/Xtrjyw3QSf

— Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 24, 2018

The aftermath of Philippe Gilbert’s spectacular Stage 16 accident.

The aftermath of Philippe Gilbert’s spectacular Stage 16 accident.

Australia's Simon Clarke hits the deck during Stage 8.

TOUR DE FRANCE CASUALTIES

STAGE 2

Tsgabu Grmay (Trek-Segafredo)

Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana)

STAGE 4

Axel Domont (Ag2r La Mondiale)

STAGE 5

Tiesj Benoot (Lotto-Soudal)

Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb)

Robert Kiserlovski (Katusha-Alpecin)

STAGE 9

Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin)

Richie Porte (BMC Racing)

José Joaquin Rojas (Movistar)

STAGE 10

Jens Keukeleire (Lotto-Soudal)

Alexis Vuillermoz (Ag2r La Mondiale)

STAGE 11

Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data)

Mark Renshaw (Dimension Data)

Marcel Kittel (Katusha-Alpecin)

STAGE 12

Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First-Drapac)

André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal)

Fernando Gaviria (Quick Step Floors)

Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo)

Marcel Sieberg (Lotto-Soudal)

Rick Zabel (Katusha-Alpecin)

Tony Gallopin (Ag2r La Mondiale)

Dmitry Gruzdev (Astana)

Rein Taaramäe (Direct Energie)

STAGE 13

Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida)

Patrick Bevin (BMC Racing)

STAGE 15

Gianni Moscon (Team Sky)

STAGE 16

Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data)

Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors)