Chris Froome is facing a hostile crowd on the tour.getty images
In the aftermath of the 14th stage of the Tour de France, which finished on the airfield above Mende in the Massif Central, reports of "aggressive behaviour towards defending Tour champion and four-time winner Chris Froome (Sky) began to filter through," according to Rupert Guinness of THE AGE. This was "a repeat of what happened" when the Tour last finished in Mende in '15. Briton Froome "was not only spat on, but had urine thrown at him, and his teammates were also abused and some of them punched." Saturday’s 14th stage from St. Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Mende "ended in much the same way." Welsh Tour leader Geraint Thomas (Sky) said, when asked if he saw a liquid substance thrown at Froome with 2km to go, "I don't actually recall it, but I'm not surprised. We've had a bit of that. It's always been water from what I've seen." Thomas' response was "measured," but he recognized the issue. He has already "made a plea for spectators not to make physical contact with riders." In this year’s Tour, the British Sky team "continues to play down the growing number of reported incidents," including flares lit and, in one alleged instance, thrown. Understandably, the team does not want to "exacerbate matters." But as the Tour draws to its finish in Paris on Sunday, the "reports are mounting" (THE AGE, 7/22). The AP reported Thomas was "booed on the podium." He said, "If people don't like Sky and want to boo, that's fine. Boo all you like, but don't affect the race. Don't touch the rider. Don't spit at us. Voice your opinions all you want but let us do the racing." Froome "refused to talk to reporters" afterward. A fan who allegedly hit him during the stage was "put in handcuffs by French police." Sky GM Dave Brailsford said, "You expect professional athletes to play sport and entertain without being touched or impacted on by the crowd. Part of the joy of our sport is how close the crowd gets. But we have to bear in mind that if it impacts on the race, as it did with [Vincenzo] Nibali today, then that's too much" (AP, 7/21).
