Being an event thats held over such large distances, protecting the riders from the fans is always going to be hard at the Tour De France.  Every year there seems to be incidents that just make me wonder about the mentality of some ‘fans’.  I understand the excitement of seeing the cyclists and the peloton as it shoots past on the flat or goes past relatively slowly on a climb, and I know that some of the idiots are motivated by appearing on TV even if it is doing something idiotic.

However, who in their right mind would want to step out in front of the peloton (as happened in the race a few years ago) to take a picture, thereby risking a big crash (as happened a few years ago)?  Why would you think that waving a flag in someones face as they struggle up a hill would actually help rather than hinder?  Other incidents that I’ve seen (or heard about) this year include a rider being punched in the head as he went round a corner near the top of a mountain because a spectator was gesticulating, and today Bradley Wiggins got scalded by a flare waved in his direction as he went past.  Are these people all mad??

I don’t know what can be done about all these (and other) idiots, but for goodness sake people try and bring some brain power with you when you are watching the race.  The riders work very hard every day for their teams and teammates and for the chance of winning a stage or a jersey and the last thing they need is for some idiot to ruin their race for them…

Oh and by the way – aren’t the Brits doing well!  Hope Wiggins wins it this year 🙂