TdF organizers say two riders hurt in shooting

COLMAR, France (AP) -- Two Tour de France riders were slightly injured by shots from what their teams suspect was an air rifle during Friday's 13th stage.

Julian Dean of New Zealand and Oscar Freire of Spain were struck along the road in northeast France but both riders were expected to start Saturday's stage.

A projectile embedded in Freire's thigh was removed by a team doctor. Garmin spokeswoman Marya Pongrace said Dean's right index finger was injured.

It was not immediately certain what weapon was used, but Dean's team, Garmin Slipstream, and Freire's Rabobank team both believe their riders were hit by an air rifle.

"He (Dean) was very lucky. He is a little shaken up but we expect him to start tomorrow," Pongrace said in a telephone interview.

Rabobank said in a statement: "The doctor is expecting (Freire) to start Saturday's 14th stage and that his injury will not bother him too much."

Police were investigating, and Dean was to be interviewed at his hotel in Colmar late Friday. Freire's Rabobank team said it intended to file a complaint.

Freire was a three-time world champion cyclist.

The riders were hit in the descent of the category-1 Col du Platzerwasel, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the finish of the stage between Vittel and Colmar, Rabobank said.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/more/07/17/tour.de.france.shooting...