BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France (AP) — After fans had caused chaos in the Alps by setting off flares, tear gas from police accidentally played havoc with Tour de France riders during the first stage in the Pyrenees on Tuesday.

Four-time champion Chris Froome was among a large group of riders whose eyes needed treatment when police intervened to disperse farmers protesting funding cuts by disrupting cycling’s biggest race.

Bales of hay blocked the road 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) into the 218-kilometer stage from Carcassonne to Bagneres-de-Luchon. Tour organizers said police used tear gas to move the protesters as the peloton approached.

Four-time champion Froome, race leader Geraint Thomas, and world champion Peter Sagan were among those affected. Froome was treated with eye drops and Sagan poured water over his face to clean his eyes.

Stage 16 resumed after a 15-minute delay.

“I was lucky that it did not affect me too much, I had a bit of tingling in the back of the throat but I used some water to wash it out,” said Thomas on the finish line in the spa town of Bagneres-de-Luchon, after keeping his overall lead intact.

Froome, who remained in second place overall, 1 minute, 39 seconds behind Sky teammate Thomas, said the effects of the gas did not last long.