FRENCH FALL IN LOVE WITH WIGGINS

On Stage 14, a mountain stage which will be remembered for a sabotage incident involving a spectator throwing carpet tacks onto the narrow road at the top of a climb. The tacks inflicted punctures for a number of riders, including the defending champion Cadel Evans, who lost approximately two minutes as his team repaired his bicycle. Wiggins and his Team Sky riders emerged from the incident without a puncture. Wiggins commanded his team-mates and competitors in the peloton to slow down to allow Evans and the affected cyclists to catch up – believing that a puncture resulting from an unfortunate incident should not determine the fate of a competitor. The act was perceived as a generous act of sportsmanship and Wiggins was dubbed “Le Gentleman” by the French.