Media reports suggested that some of the riders might have been attacked with pepper spray, with a number of participants washing out their eyes, while others are retirning to their team cars for medical treatment.
According to The Guardian's live updates, ITV 4's commentary team had revealed that it was a French policeman who had accidentally used the pepper spray against several cyclists in an attempt to stop a protester, trying to throw hay-bales on to the road on the route from Carcassonne to Bagneres-de-Luchon.
The race has resumed after the brief break, according to the radio station, run by Tour organizers.
Sputnik
More about: TourdeFrance
