During the final ascent of Saturday’s Tour de France stage, an unexpected and disturbing incident unfolded. A spectator, identified as a young man born in 1992, threw crisps at Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard as they rode past. This act, captured by television cameras, quickly spread across social media, drawing widespread condemnation from fans and commentators alike.
Adam Hansen, president of the CPA riders’ union, expressed outrage and announced that legal action would be pursued against the perpetrator. Vingegaard, visibly perplexed, commented, “I don’t understand those who go to a bike race to throw chips.”
Alexis, a Breton in his thirties who had been enjoying the event near the 2-kilometre marker, witnessed the incident. “It was a beautiful afternoon of the Tour de France, filled with celebration and passionate cycling fans until that idiotic gesture,” he remarked. Alexis and his friends had mingled with the offender earlier, noting that he seemed friendly, discussing cycling and Brittany, and playing games. However, Alexis noted that the young man had been drinking heavily throughout the afternoon.
A gendarme, stationed nearby, intervened swiftly, removing the spectator from the road. Alexis described the scene, saying, “He was wearing a Breton hat, shirtless, and waving a Brittany flag. The gendarme moved him away from the road quite abruptly, and a police car arrived within five minutes to take him away.”
The offender was detained for aggravated assault and held overnight to sober up. He is scheduled for questioning today. Alexis, who had inadvertently captured the moment in a series of photos, shared his confusion over the incident. “His friends were surprised too. They weren’t on their first Tour, but this was the first time he’d done something this stupid.”
The Tour’s organiser, ASO, has stated that they will not file a complaint. Alexis and his friends, who had been impressed by Pogacar’s performance, are now heading back to Rennes. Reflecting on their experience, Alexis said, “We are cyclotourists and managed to climb a few Pyrenean cols over the past few days. It was enjoyable, unlike witnessing such a regrettable act.”