The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O), organiser of the Tour de France, have made a joint appeal to cycling fans, asking them to respect the riders.
The peloton of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France enters a decisive phase of the race as it enters the Alps, where the riders require optimal conditions in order to perform to their best before arriving in Paris on Sunday.
UCI President Brian Cookson and Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme ask crowds along the roadside to respect every rider, and the integrity of the riders and in particular the Yellow Jersey.
The UCI and A.S.O publicly regretted the aggressions suffered by the leader of the overall classification from some spectators during the 14th stage between Rodez and Mende, while at the same time thanking the large majority of the public which respects the athletes.