The Tour de France is one of few international sporting events that allows spectators ready access to the course and its competitors. That's why so many people love it, but it sometimes comes at a price for the riders.
The annual race, which consists of 21 day-long stages and a couple of rest days, usually covers about 3200 kilometres and consistently attracts large crowds.
Some fans go to extreme lengths to show their adoration (or otherwise) for tour riders: donning costumes, waving signs or even spraying urine.
Here's a look at some memorable spectator moments in Tour de France history.
What do you think of our top ten? Have we missed any big ones? Have your say below.
1. Spectator's splash
The incident came just one day after Cavendish was blamed for a collision which resulted in Argos Shimano rider Tom Veelers crashing to the ground. (Cavendish aplogised for the incident and has not been disciplined by officials).
When asked how the cyclist knew what the substance was, Omega Pharma sports director Brian Holm said Cavendish "could taste it wasn't lemon juice."
2. Orica Green Edge's bus blunder
The Orica Green Edge team bus caused chaos on the first stage of this year's tour when the vehicle became stuck under an arch at the finish line, moments before riders were due to cross. (Photo: AAP)
The bus was moving away from the line when it became wedged under the gantry, causing panic among organisers.
Confused riders were then told the finish line had been moved forward three kilometres only for the bus to be removed and the original line reinstated.
3. The 'mankini'
Whether riders like it or not, the g-string “mankini” has become a staple item for some overzealous fans at the tour. (Photo: 2012 Tour de France)
One such fan donned a lime-green mankini made famous in the Sacha Baron Cohen film Borat and ran in front of riders waving a blue flag during the 2007 tour.
4. Tacks and tyres
A collection of riders were derailed this year by tacks on the road. (Photo: AAP)
Team Sky riders Geraint Thomas (pictured) and Richie Porte both suffered punctured tyres during the 228.5-kilometre run from Cagnes-sur-Mer, and team sports director Nicolas Portal put it down to sabotage.
“We think they might have been down to people placing tacks on the road,” he said.
It was not the first time in Tour de France history that tacks had appeared on the road. In 2012 some 30 riders had punctures after tacks were thrown on the road during a mountain stage.
5. Sheep cross riders' paths
A flock of sheep caused an unexpected disruption during the 17th stage of the 2010 tour.
Riders were forced to stop for the animals after they scuttled onto the road from a hillside, seemingly unaware of their sudden fame.
6. Flying pellets
Two riders were injured when a spectator fired airgun pellets at riders on the 13th stage of the 2009 tour. (Photo: AAP)
Spanish rider Oscar Freire (pictured) was shot in the thigh during the attack and New Zealander Julian Dean was hit in the thumb.
Remarkable, Freire removed the pellet himself and passed it over to a team doctor.
He later described the shooting as "the action of a madman."
7. Rider hits labrador
T-Mobile rider Marcus Burghardt suffered a heavy fall when he hit a labrador on ninth stage of the 2007 Tour de France circuit.
Both dog and rider were unhurt in the collision but Burghardt's front wheel collapsed on impact and the German rider went flying over the handlebars of his bike.
8. Car collision
The rivalry between cyclists and car drivers is well established, but riders at the Tour de France don't usually expect the issue to crop up.
No such luck for Team Sky rider Juan Antonio Flecha, who was clipped by a television technician's car while the driver attempted to to overtake him during the 2011 tour.
Flecha crashed onto the road while Dutch rider Johnny Hoogerland was catapulted into a nearby fence.
9. Flashers
A lone spectator mooned race leaders during the ninth stage of this year's tour, but the surprise generated little response.
Riders are frequently subjected to displays of nudity and other antics from rowdy fans, leading many to question the race's security meansures.
10. Rider punches costumed fan
Spanish rider Alberto Contador lashed out at a costumed fan running alongside him during the 2011 race.
Fans trailing riders is commonplace on the tour but Contador perhaps felt the man, dressed as a doctor in green scrubs and blue pants, had gotten too close.
The three-time Tour de France champion punched him in the face before continuing on the gruelling track.
Share
