Premise: BAGNERES DE-LUCHON, France (AP) — Four-time champion Chris Froome is among several riders who have had their eyes treated for tear gas or pepper spray sprayed on the peloton when a farmer’s protest interrupted the 16th stage of the Tour de France. Police had to remove bales of hay blocking the road 30 kilometers into the 218-kilometer leg from Carcassonne to Bagneres De-Luchon. An Associated Press photographer at the scene says Froome and other riders had eye drops applied while stopped for several minutes. It isn’t immediately clear who used the chemicals.
Hypothesis: The 218-kilometer leg is the hardest one.