Irish fans dismiss suggestions of abuse towards Team Sky

Irish cycling fans have reacted strongly to claims they abused members of Team Sky during last Thursday’s 18th stage of the Tour de France to Alpe d’Huez.

Journalist David Walsh, who is renowned for his crusading work in exposing drug cheat Lance Armstrong, wrote how Irish fans abused Team Sky riders and officials as they made their way to the summit finish on that particular stage.

Walsh’s article, “Why I Believe In Chris Froome” in The Sunday Times, included references to an anti-Sky feeling amongst cycling supporters that stretched, he claims, to fans putting the Sky team under “siege” and involved eggs and beer cans being thrown at team vehicles as they drove up the climb.