Freire and Dean shot by air gun during stage to Colmar

Former world champion Oscar Freire needed medical treatment after Friday's Tour de France stage to Colmar after being shot in the leg by an air gun.  

According to his Rabobank team, Freire was hit in his lower thigh while descending the Col du Platzerwasel, in the final part of the stage. The team's doctor had to remove the pellet and Freire has a large bruise around the wound.

Kiwi Julian Dean of the Garmin team was also shot. A pellet hit his thumb. It cut his skin but did not cause a serious injury.

According to report on the Rabobank team website, the riders heard three gun shots during the descent. Rabobank have said that they will report the incident to police.

After battling through the wind and cold, it seems they also had to deal with an idiot with an air gun.