As the Bruce mentioned, there doesn't seem to be anything normal about a major event like the Tour de France being stopped by protestors. I admit that it's odd, but it seems so, well, French. I mean, here you have members of a group called the Peasant's Confederation protesting for the release of someone most media outlets describe as a "radical farmer." Where else would this happen?

On the other hand, there's apparently some history with the Tour and protests. Phil Liggett referenced the steelworker's protest during last night's coverage, noting that it caused the cancellation of a stage. Of course, this wasn't even the first protest blocking this year's Tour.