Rider punched in face by spectator

KAZAKH rider Andrey Kashechkin was punched in the face by a spectator as he was tackling the Marie Blanque climb in the Tour de France’s 16th stage from Mourenx to Pau yesterday.

“He received a punch in the face. He’s stunned. It’s unbelievable,” said his Credit Agricole team chief Roger Legeay.

He had just launched an attack with compatriot Alexander Vinokourov and American Levi Leipheimer when a spectator punched him.