Freire and Dean shot at with air rifles

COLMAR, France (Reuters) - Tour de France riders Oscar Freire of Spain and New Zealand's Julian Dean were shot at with air guns during Friday's 13th stage from Vittel to Colmar, their teams said.

"Julian was shot by an air rifle or BB gun (pellet gun) at the top of a climb during the stage. He has a minor injury on his finger but he was able to finish," Garmin-Slipstream spokeswoman Marya Pongrace told Reuters.

"(Organizers) ASO have asked police to open an investigation."

A spokesman for three times world champion Freire's Rabobank team said: "Oscar heard three shots and then felt a sting. A small shot was removed."

ASO confirmed an investigation had been opened and said both riders had given statements to the police.

The organizers added they would not make any further comment on the matter until Saturday.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Alison Wildey and Ken Ferris)