Protests Halt Vuelta Final in Madrid Amid Gaza Outcry
Madrid – The final stage of the Vuelta a España was brought to an abrupt end on Sunday after pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police and blocked the cycling route in the Spanish capital.
Chanting “they will not pass,” demonstrators overturned barriers and surged onto the course, forcing organisers to cancel the podium ceremony. Jonas Vingegaard, who had secured overall victory, celebrated quietly in the back of his team car instead of on stage.
The Spanish government confirmed that two people were arrested and 22 police officers were injured in the clashes. More than 1,000 officers had been deployed—the largest security operation since Madrid hosted the NATO summit in 2022.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised the protests, saying he “admired the Spanish people for mobilising for just causes like Palestine.” Spain has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, with Sánchez accusing Israel of committing genocide. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused him of antisemitism in response.
Demonstrators specifically targeted the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team, highlighting Israel’s role in Gaza. Tensions had already been building, with some riders threatening to withdraw last week after routes were disrupted, leading to falls.
The Gaza war has reverberated through sports worldwide. Just days earlier, seven Israeli chess players withdrew from a Spanish tournament after organisers barred them from competing under their national flag.
On Sunday, riot police tried to push back protesters with batons and smoke bombs after bottles, cones, and barriers were hurled onto the road.
Health Minister Mónica García defended the demonstrations, calling Spain a “global beacon in the defence of human rights.” She added that Madrid’s protests joined dozens across the country, symbolically halting a race she said should never have been used to “whitewash genocide.”
It marked the first time a Grand Tour cycling race has been stopped by political protests since 1978, when Basque separatists disrupted the Vuelta in San Sebastián.
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