Tour de France riders from New Zealand and Spain were struck by BB's believed to have been fired from an air rifle, race officials say.

Pellets struck New Zealander Julian Dean and Spaniard Oscar Freire Friday as they were riding in a group of 20 to 30 cyclists at the back of the pack, a bit more three-quarters of the way into the 124-mile stage near Colmar, France, The New York Times reported.

Matt White, a race director for the Garmin team, told the Times Dean was bruised when hit in the right index finger, while Freire's team said the pellet that hit the Spanish rider embedded in his right leg and was removed by doctors.

Both riders finished the stage and said they would continue with the race, the newspaper reported. Tour de France officials said police were investigating the incident.

"It's not the worst thing I ever heard of, but it's definitely the weirdest," White told the Times, adding that in the past fans have thrown objects such as eggs at competitors.