11 of the Craziest Cycling Fans in Tour de France History

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Cycling fans are a specific breed. Unlike most sporting events—where fans are able to sit and watch the entirety of an hours-long match without missing a single moment of drama—cycling fans sit and wait for hours on end to catch a seconds-long glimpse of a peloton zooming by them at 30 mph, unlikely even to see the person they're cheering for. And with no reservations, they pack up and do the same thing the following day.

Were cycling fans crazy to begin with, or is it this behavior that made them crazy? We'll never know for sure, but if you're ever lucky enough to attend the Tour de France, you might just cross paths with one of these crazy characters.

Whether it's a trident-wielding devil, a jogging banana or half-naked, face-painted Norwegians, these cycling fans really know how to party.
Texas Forever
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A cycling fan with the Texas flag attached to his bicycle urges riders on near Quissac during the 13th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Miramas and Montpellier, southern France, Friday, July 15, 2005. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Triathlon?
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A cycling fan runs alongside stage winner Pierre Rolland of France, left, and his teammate Christophe Kern of France, right, during the 11th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 148 kilometers (92 miles) with start in Albertville and finish in La Toussuire, French Alps, Thursday July 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Rawr!
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Two cycling fans in disguise wait for the pack to pass during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 194 kilometers (120.5 miles) with start in Arras and finish in Reims, France, Thursday, July 10, 2014. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
A Sight for Sore Eyes
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A cycling fan dressed as a wrestler waves the U.S. and Mexican flags as the pack with Haimar Zubeldia of Spain, in red Radio Shack shirt, passes during the 10th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 158 kilometers (98.2 miles) starting in Aurillac and finishing in Carmaux, south central France, Tuesday July 12, 2011. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
No Words
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Didi Senft of Germany, also known as "El Diablo" reacts as the pack passes on the outskirts of Angouleme during the 18th stage of the 94th Tour de France cycling race between Cahors and Angouleme, central France, Friday, July 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Like a Field of Tulips—Err...
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Spectators in curve number seven, also known as the Dutch curve, watch the 18th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 172.5 kilometers (107.8 miles) with start in Gap and finish in Alpe-d'Huez, France, Thursday July 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
All Hail the Queen
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A fan of British cyclists encourages the pack with overall leader Bradley Wiggins of Britain during the 11th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 148 kilometers (92 miles) with start in Albertville and finish in La Toussuire, French Alps, Thursday July 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Ride Support
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British fans cheer as Chris Froome of Britain, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, left, passes with the pack during the 14th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 191 kilometers (119.4 miles) with start in in Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule and finish in Lyon, central France, Saturday July 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Long Live the Tour
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Cycling fans hold a banner reading "Long Live the Tour" prior to the start of the 13th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 217 kilometers (134.8 miles) with start in Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux and finish in Le Cap D'Agde, France, Saturday July 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Another Definition of Climbing
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A cycling fan with an Australian flag waits for the start of the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 165.5 kilometers (102.8 miles) with start in Tournus and finish in Station des Rousses, France, Saturday, July 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)
A Family Affair
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A fan of French cyclist Thomas Voeckler stands on top of his car during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 214.5 kilometers (133.3 miles) with start in Abbeville and finish in Rouen, France, Wednesday July 4, 2012. Voeckler was distanced by the pack in the third stage and lost considerable time in the overall standings because of a knee injury. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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