That is: The crowds making the Tour what it is. I think that's true, AND important.

Now this next I'm not relating to this Tour incident.. different circumstances, I'm drawing NO parallel -

Actually two examples: First... it astounds me in those old auto racing videos how close the crowds are to the track... old Indy video, Le Mans video, etc. Makes me cringe watching it - but at the same time, (being an auto racing enthusiast), getting close to the cars is a rush. It just is.

Second example still goes on today - those rally races. People are as close to those cars, (trucks, motorcycles), as the people are to the cycling event.