After a delay in proceedings thanks to a protest by farmers, the 16th stage of the Tour de France got underway on Tuesday.

Tear gas was used to break up the gathering as farmers demonstrated against a cut in state aid.

Team Sky’s overall leader Geraint Thomas was among the riders affected by the tear gas and was seen rubbing his nose following the incident.

A video footage that emerged after the sequence of events showed liquid being blown back into the advancing peloton after being sprayed by an officer from France’s national gendarmerie.

Apparently, Tour de France medical officers did hand out eye drops to riders including green jersey points leader Peter Sagan.

The 218km stage which ends in Bagneres-de-Luchon restarted at 12:36 (10:36 GMT) after an interruption that lasted around 15 minutes.

“After a 15 minute-long interruption caused by protesters, the race is back on,” organisers said in a brief statement on leTour.fr.