Cycling teams and French media said police used tear gas to disperse the protesters but it ended up blowing in the face of the riders, which led to the race being stopped at the 187 km-to-go point.
A chain malfunction in the last climb of the 187.5-kms 15th stage derailed Andy Schleck's Tour de France chances and allowed rival Alberto Contador to grab the yellow jersey on Monday.
Spain's Gorka Izagirre took second place and Yates finished third, 15 seconds behind.
Briton Chris Froome stunned his passive rivals to snatch the overall leader's yellow jersey in the Tour de France when he won the eighth stage with a lightning attack on the final descent on Saturday.
Hold your breath as Rediff.com brings to you some of the picturesque places that the cyclists race through at the Tour.
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