Tour de France cycling fans – in pictures

They look like an ordinary bunch from this distance ... Photograph: Tim De Waele/Corbis

… closer inspection reveals some disturbing attire Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

These chaps are fully kitted out as Robin and Batman (though you'd hardly know the Caped Crusader was in town from the non-plussed look on the riders' faces) Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Beachwear was de rigeur on this leg of the Tour Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters

What's going on with El Diablo? He's got himself a new outfit Photograph: JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images

Magical Mystery Tour ... Long and Winding Road ... er Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Robin has undergone a quick costume change Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters

There's a distinct lack of organisation, here Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Now that's more like it; get a cherry picker and casually string an old mountain bike to it. Safe as houses Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Being a spectator in the rain shows commitment. Shoes would help Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

A lot of effort has gone into that costume. Yet still the question remains, what exactly is it meant to be? Photograph: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters