> "I'm most annoyed that someone must have thrown something onto the road at that point, because there were four or five flat tires in no time." Sporting director Kim Andersen also added: "I wouldn't rule out that this was sabotage. We'll find out later. It wouldn't be the first time saboteurs have thrown sharp objects onto the road during the Tour."

> Marc Madiot, team director at FDJ, also believes there was more to it. He saw Paul Penhoët, a contender for a top-ten finish, fall away. "For Paul, this was the perfect sprint, but after that flat tire, it was over."

> "It's a shame that so many riders punctured in the same place," he told Cyclism Actu. "I can imagine that nails might have been thrown onto the road. That's not good. It ruins the whole day."