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'Disgusting' - Fan throws crisps in face of Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard at Tour de France
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Updated 13/07/2024 at 20:13 GMT+1
Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard came under fire from a packet of crisps after one spectator decided to make Stage 14 of the Tour de France about him. The two former champions were involved in an epic battle on the final climb when the fan inexplicably lobbed crisps at them, sparking a fierce backlash in the Eurosport studio. "It's just disgusting," said former Olympic champion Dani Rowe.
Highlights: Pogacar tightens grip on Tour by gapping Vingegaard to win Stage 14
Video credit: TNT Sports
There was a shock moment at the Tour de France on Saturday when a spectator threw crisps in the faces of both Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard on the final climb.
As Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) ripped away to a famous solo win on Stage 14, one fan with main-character energy decided to move onto the course and hurl a pack of crisps into the face of the leader.
Pogacar was clearly affected, shaking his head, while the bare-chested fan then repeated the stunt when Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) came through moments later - this time launching some crisps from the palm of his hand at the Dane.
"My blood is boiling," said Eurosport host Orla Chennaoui as replays were shown on The Breakaway. "Why would anyone go to the top of a climb, wait there all day, just to do that?"
EF Education-EasyPost boss Jonathan Vaughters replied: "I don't understand why that guy is there. Are you there to be a cycling fan? Do you love the sport? Are you there to watch the race? Or are you there to get on TV doing something stupid?"
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'My blood is boiling' – Spectator throws crisps in face of Pogacar and Vingegaard
Video credit: TNT Sports
Dani Rowe, a gold medallist in the velodrome at the London Olympics in 2012, continued the rebuke.
"No fan would do that. It's just disgusting behaviour," she said.
Later, Adam Hansen, the head of riders' association CPA Cycling, said they "will take legal action with pleasure" against the spectator.
Victory saw Pogacar open up a 1'57" lead over two-time defending champion Vingegaard in the race for the yellow jersey, with Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) - who appeared to survive the crisp onslaught - back at 2'22".
"He's very identifiable from the pictures," Robbie McEwen, a 12-time stage winner at the Tour, added on the rogue fan.
"I would love to see the gendarmes [French police] sent down around that area, and go 'there he is'."
After a brutal day in the saddle, the peloton are rewarded with an even tougher Bastille Day bonanza on Sunday as four Cat. 1 climbs serve as the appetiser to one of the toughest summit finishes in the sport: Plateau de Beille.
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'The Pyrenees belong to Pogacar' - Yellow jersey roars on Stage 14
Video credit: TNT Sports
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