Chris Froome , Team Sky leader at the Tour de France, was disgusted when a spectator threw a cup of urine at him during the 14th stage of the race.
“Obviously a bit of a dampener for me, a spectator about 50-60 kilometres into the race threw a cup of urine over me, shouting ‘dope’,” Chris Froome said. “It’s unacceptable on so many levels. We’re professionals, we work really hard for what we do and for someone to come and do that, it’s not what we’re here for.”
Froome has had to deal with many accusations leading up to, and throughout, the race. Some publications have accused him of doping or using a motorized bicycle . Critics are stating that his speed during acceleration could suggest the use of a motor and that a hacker found his physical stats, but nothing has been released that actually proves or disproves the claims made.
Team Sky, the team leader, and Froome’s family believe that those journalists reporting on unconfirmed accusations are causing the Tour de France spectators to turn on them.
Michelle Froome, Chris’ pregnant wife, took to Twitter to shame the journalists they believe are responsible. Her Twitter has been disabled at the time of this article.
“@michellefroome: @JalabertLaurent @cedvasseur @lequipe @festinaboy @scienceofsport I hope you’re paying attention. Ignorant, irresponsible fools.”
“I certainly don’t blame the public for this, it’s certainly a minority of people out there ruining it for everybody else,” Chris Froome stated. “I would blame some of the reporting on the race, it’s very irresponsible. Those individuals know who they are.”
Fans of the race have made comparisons between Chris Froome and Lance Armstrong, explaining they they’re seeing things in Chris that they remember from just before Armstrong was stripped of his titles.
Froome wasn’t the only one punished by spectators on suspicion of cheating. His teammate, Richie Porte, was punched on Tuesday, according to the Telegraph Cycling Podcast .
“They are so anti-whatever we are. Do I deserve to be booed? Does Chris Froome deserve all this? I don’t think so,” Porte said. “…It’s a disgrace how some of these people carry on.”
Despite the negativity, Chris Froome has made it clear that his mind is on the race and those of his fans that continue to be supportive.
“I just want to thank the thousands and thousands of supporters out there not just supporting us but the race. It’s been magnificent on the road, tremendous. I want to thank those people out there but it’s just unfortunate a few individuals are ruining it for the rest.”
[ Image courtesy of Bryn Lennon/Getty Image ]
