The Tour de France was stopped after protesters stormed the road during Stage 16, leading to a number of cyclists being hit by pepper spray.

A protest by local farmers brought the race to a halt, on the route from Carcassonne to Bagneres-de-Luchon.

Bales of hay were thrown across the road by protesters in an attempt to disrupt the stage with police using pepper spray in response.

Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Show all 16 1 /16 Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Pawel Poljanski cleans his eyes REUTERS Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Geraint Thomas cleans his eyes AFP/Getty Images Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Gendarmes hold back a protester as the pack rides behin AFP/Getty Images Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray The peloton stands still after the race was stopped REUTERS Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Chris Froome cleans his eyes EPA Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray A protester holds a placard reading "For the Piege region to live" during a farmers' protest AFP/Getty Images Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Gendarmes detain protesters AFP/Getty Images Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Simon Clarke cleans his eyes EPA Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Gendarmes detain a protester AFP/Getty Images Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Riders clean their eyes AFP/Getty Images Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Riders sit after General Director of the Tour de France, France's Christian Prudhomme (Rear L) halted the race AFP/Getty Images Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Riders clean their eyes AFP/Getty Images Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Police officers run after a protester REUTERS Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Geraint Thomas clean his eyes after tear gas was used during a farmers' protest who attempted to block the stage's route, during the 16th stage REUTERS Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray Gendarmes detain a protester as the pack rides behind, during a farmers' protest who attempted to block the stage's route, during the 16th stage of the 105th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, between Carcassonne and Bagneres-de-Luchon, southwestern France, on July 24, 2018. The race was halted for several minutes on July 24 after tear gas was used as protesting farmers attempted to block the route. / AFP PHOTO / Jeff PACHOUDJEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Tour de France stopped after protesters hit peloton with pepper spray The riders clean their eyes EPA

However, the pepper spray appeared to then drift into the face of several cyclists, causing general director of the Tour Christian Prudhomme to briefly pause the stage.

An Associated Press photographer at the scene said Chris Froome and other riders had eye drops applied while stopped for several minutes. Yellow jersey holder Geraint Thomas was also pictured dousing his face in water.

The race was stopped completely while several riders received medical treatment from the doctor's car at the rear of the peloton.

After a 15-minute interval, the race resumed with a short neutralised section before the flag was dropped once more with 33km of the 218km distance covered.

Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Show all 42 1 /42 Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 1 Saturday 7 July: Noirmoutier-En-L’Ïle to Fontenay-Le-Comte (201km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 1 profile A flat opening stage following the coastline which will expose the peloton to crosswinds from the Atlantic Ocean and is likely to end in a bunch sprint. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 2 Sunday 8 July: Mouilleron-Saint Germain to La Roche-Sur-Yon (182.5km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 2 profile A route through the Vendee countryside with another opportunity for the sprinters to clinch a stage victory. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 3 Monday 9 July: Cholet (team time trial, 35.5km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 3 profile A team trial around Cholet which will give an early indication as to the quality and depth of the leading groups. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 4 Tuesday 10 July: La Baule to Sarzeau (195 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 4 profile The visit to Brittany could be the moment for the dominant sprinter of the Tour to make his mark. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 5 Wednesday 11 July: Lorient to Quimper (204.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 5 profile A tricky stage to Finistere full of narrow roads and short, sharp climbs. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 6 Thursday 12 July: Brest – Mûr de Bretagne Guerlédan (181 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 6 profile The Mur de Bretagne will be scaled twice in the final kilometres in the toughest test of the first week. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 7 Friday 13 July: Fougères to Chartres (231 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 7 profile This is a long stage which invites a breakaway but is likely to won by a sprinter. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 8 Saturday 14 July: Dreux to Amiens Métropole (181 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 8 profile The sprinters could be scuppered by the Normandy crosswinds – conditions will be crucial. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 9 Sunday 15 July: Arras Citadelle to Roubaix (156.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 9 profile A testing route consisting of 22km of cobblestone split into 15 treacherous section which could claim a few casualties. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 10 Tuesday 17 July: Annecy to Le Grand-Bornand (158.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 10 profile A rare trip off the asphalt and on to a gravel road is likely to puncture a few tyres. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 11 Wednesday 18 July: Albertville to La Rosière (108.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 11 A first serious taste of the mountains, albeit on a very short stage. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 12 Thursday 19 July: Bourg-Saint-Maurice Les Arc to Alpe d’Huez (175.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 12 profile A summit finish on top of the Tour de France’s most iconic climb: Alpe d’Huez. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 13 Friday 20 July: Bourg d’Oisans to Valence (169.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 13 profile A gentler day after three stages in the mountains and one for the sprinters to contest. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 14 Saturday 21 July: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Mende (188 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 14 profile A stage with four categorised climbs including a sharp climb to Mende which will hurt tired legs. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 15 Sunday 22 July: Millau to Carcassonne (181.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 15 profile Another undulating day ripe for a breakaway. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 16 Tuesday 24 July: Carcassonne to Bagnères-de-Luchon (218 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 16 profile A long and draining stage with three ascents in the second half to bring out the best in the elite climbers. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 17 Wednesday 25 July: Bagnères-de-Luchon to Saint-Lary-Soulan (65 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 17 profile The shortest regular stage for 30 years and yet a brutal one, finishing on the steep Col du Portet, which could prove decisive. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 18 Thursday 26 July: Trie-sur-Baïse to Pau (171 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 18 profile Some respite for the climbers after three draining days, and another chance for the sprinters to shine. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 19 Friday 27 July: Lourdes to Laruns (200.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 19 profile The famous Aspin-Tourmalet combination in the middle of this stage makes it perfect for a yellow jersey assault. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 20 Saturday 28 July: Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle to Espelette (individual time trial, 31 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 20 profile A time trial with enough short climbs – including the final Col du Pinodieta – to upset the traditional time triallists. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 21 Sunday 29 July: Houilles to Paris (116 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 21 profile The procession into the Champs-Elysees for those that have made it, and one final opportunity for the power riders.

Farmers' protests are nothing new at the Tour, but the incident will add to the intense security situation in this year's edition.

Team Sky's Froome was jostled and spat at on Alpe d'Huez, while 2014 winner Vincenzo Nibali saw his race ended after he was brought down in a tangle with a fan on the same mountain.