In Pictures: Tour de France stage 17 thrown into chaos as security stops intruder attempting to sabotage race

Stage 17 of the Tour de France 2025 saw unexpected drama unfold in Valence as a rogue intruder disrupted the race’s final moments, forcing immediate action from event security and organizers.

Tension at the finish line of Tour de France 2025

What was supposed to be a high-speed, rain-soaked sprint finale turned momentarily chaotic when an unidentified individual breached the barriers and entered the final 100 meters of the course. Dressed in a Decathlon–AG2R La Mondiale jersey, but conspicuously wearing sneakers and not part of any team, the intruder managed to make it ahead of the lead commissaire’s car, instantly raising red flags among officials.

Despite heavy crowd-control protocols in place for the last kilometre, the man climbed over the barriers with his bicycle in a blatant attempt to cross the finish line illegally—posing a potential threat to the integrity and safety of the race.

Commissioner Stephane Boury steps in again

Race official Stephane Boury, known for his hands-on approach to security, immediately attempted to stop the individual. This marks the second time in this Tour that Boury has physically intervened to protect the riders—having previously tackled a protester at the finish of Stage 11 in Toulouse.

On this occasion, Stephane Boury managed to slow the intruder before tripping and falling. Fortunately, backup arrived instantly. A member of the Compagnies Republicaines de Securite (CRS) swiftly tackled and apprehended the man, preventing further disruption or harm to the race.

Safety in the Spotlight

The incident has reignited discussions around security measures at major sporting events. While no harm came to the riders, the breach highlighted vulnerabilities even in the highly controlled environment of a Tour de France finish zone.

Race organizers have yet to release an official statement about the motives behind the act, but the swift action of the security forces and event officials ensured that the race results remained unaffected.

A reminder of the unexpected

As the peloton inches closer to Paris, this latest intrusion serves as a reminder that in a race as iconic and logistically massive as the Tour de France 2025, anything can happen—on or off the bike.