Tour de France Fans Criticized for Standing on Graves at Stage 2 Finish

During the second stage of the Tour de France near Boulogne-sur-Mer, some fans sparked outrage by standing on cemetery graves to get a better view of the race, which was won by Mathieu van der Poel who took the yellow jersey. This behavior provoked strong criticism from the families of those buried there, local residents, and fellow spectators, who described it as a significant lack of respect and expressed shock at the damage to gravestones and the cemetery grounds. In addition to the grave incident, fans also set off forbidden smoke bombs during mountain stages, prompting the Tour organizers to issue warnings emphasizing safety and respect for the riders. The race director condemned the use of smoke bombs due to the potential harm they pose to competitors. Meanwhile, the French Cofidis cycling team reported the theft of 11 high-value bikes from their team truck after the opening stage. The controversy highlights ongoing challenges with fan conduct at the Tour de France, balancing enthusiasm with respect and safety.