Tour de France rider Chris Froome accosted by policeman on descent masseuses

Photos have emerged of the 33-year-old Briton, who was descending the Col de Portet after Stage 17, being accosted by a gendarme and falling off his bike.

READ: Tour temporarily halted by protestors



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READ: Colombia's cycling obsession

Wearing a gray rain jacket over his Team Sky kit and riding his race bike with the No.1 on his frame tag, Froome exchanged words with the gendarme.

It had been a difficult day for the reigning champion who faltered on the final climb, allowing race leader Geraint Thomas to extend his lead.

With four stages remaining, the Welshman -- bidding for a first Grand Tour victory -- leads teammate Froome, who is now third, by two minutes and 31 seconds.

The incident comes two days after the Tour, cycling's most prestigious race, was temporarily halted by protesters and riders were inadvertently tear-gassed.

There were also fears over Froome's safety before the Tour began.

Despite being cleared of anti-doping violations after he was found to have more than the permissible level of asthma drug salbutamol in his urine at last September's Vuelta a España, tensions remained high in the build-up to the three-week race.

Team Sky has employed a personal bodyguard for Froome and additional security, while the Tour has employed extra security in the wake of recent terror attacks in France.

At the pre-race ceremony to present the teams in La Roche-sur-Yon, Froome and his team were greeted with boos, jeers and whistles, while in previous races the Briton has had urine thrown at him and been taunted by fans brandishing giant inhalers.

Riding 60km with a broken kneecap

Meanwhile, Philippe Gilbert has posted an extraordinary picture of severe swelling around his broken knee cap following a crash on Stage 16.

Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features

Despite falling heavily, flipping over a low stone wall into a ravine, the 36-year-old continued to ride a further 60 kilometers to complete the stage.

Posting on Twitter Wednesday, his caption read: 'When you have a broken knee cap and decide to keep going for another 60km.'

A scan revealed he had sustained a fractured kneecap and the Belgian has been ruled out of the Tour.

Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features Despite falling heavily, flipping over a low stone wall into a ravine, the 36-year-old continued to ride a further 60 kilometers to complete the stage. At the pre-race ceremony to present the teams in La Roche-sur-Yon, Froome and his team were greeted with boos, jeers and whistles, while in previous races the Briton has had urine thrown at him and been taunted by fans brandishing giant inhalers. A scan revealed he had sustained a fractured kneecap and the Belgian has been ruled out of the Tour. Team Sky has employed a personal bodyguard for Froome and additional security, while the Tour has employed extra security in the wake of recent terror attacks in France. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features Meanwhile, Philippe Gilbert has posted an extraordinary picture of severe swelling around his broken knee cap following a crash on Stage 16. Photos have emerged of the 33-year-old Briton, who was descending the Col de Portet after Stage 17, being accosted by a gendarme and falling off his bike. Photos have emerged of the 33-year-old Briton, who was descending the Col de Portet after Stage 17, being accosted by a gendarme and falling off his bike. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features The incident comes two days after the Tour, cycling's most prestigious race, was temporarily halted by protesters and riders were inadvertently tear-gassed. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features Team Sky has employed a personal bodyguard for Froome and additional security, while the Tour has employed extra security in the wake of recent terror attacks in France. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features Wearing a gray rain jacket over his Team Sky kit and riding his race bike with the No.1 on his frame tag, Froome exchanged words with the gendarme. READ: Tour temporarily halted by protestors READ: Colombia's cycling obsession Despite being cleared of anti-doping violations after he was found to have more than the permissible level of asthma drug salbutamol in his urine at last September's Vuelta a España, tensions remained high in the build-up to the three-week race. Despite falling heavily, flipping over a low stone wall into a ravine, the 36-year-old continued to ride a further 60 kilometers to complete the stage. Posting on Twitter Wednesday, his caption read: 'When you have a broken knee cap and decide to keep going for another 60km.' Posting on Twitter Wednesday, his caption read: 'When you have a broken knee cap and decide to keep going for another 60km.' A scan revealed he had sustained a fractured kneecap and the Belgian has been ruled out of the Tour. It had been a difficult day for the reigning champion who faltered on the final climb, allowing race leader Geraint Thomas to extend his lead. With four stages remaining, the Welshman -- bidding for a first Grand Tour victory -- leads teammate Froome, who is now third, by two minutes and 31 seconds.

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