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The final stage of the Vuelta a España was abandoned in chaotic and violent scenes, after groups of pro-Palestine protesters swamped the finish line area and presentation podium in central Madrid on Sunday.
As huge crowds engulfed the finish area, the race leader Jonas Vingegaard, his Visma Lease-a-bike team and the rest of the peloton were forced to turn back from the city centre, with more than 55km still to race on stage 21. In an official statement, the Vuelta organisers said: “For security reasons, stage 21 of La Vuelta has been ended early. There will be no podium ceremony.”
Spanish media reported that about 3,000 protesters were at the finish line and it was also claimed that there had been violent exchanges between police and protesters. Security sources told Spanish media they had “to charge at the protesters who were throwing barriers and bottles”. The Spanish government later said more than 100,000 people were at the rally in Madrid.
After days of vociferous protests directed towards the Israel Premier Tech team, extra police had been brought into Madrid in a bid to secure the final stage, in what was the largest security operation since the city hosted a Nato summit in 2022.
A huge crowd of protesters pushed over race barriers, close to the Plaza de Colón and Gran Vía, as security forces lost control of the situation. Police charged some of the protesters and fired teargas, but the race route was overwhelmed.
As the peloton arrived in Madrid, with 56km to race, riders at the rear were delayed and also pushed by protesters holding anti‑Israel banners. The race organisers then stopped the front of the race and lengthy discussions with the Guardia Civil led to the decision to cancel the stage.
Soon afterwards, a glum-looking Vingegaard was seen sharing a muted celebratory handshake with his teammates, as he made his way directly to his team hotel.
Before the stage the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, had expressed his “admiration” for the demonstrators. Speaking in Málaga, he said: “We would like to express our gratitude and absolute respect for the athletes but also our admiration for the Spanish people who mobilise for just causes, such as Palestine.”
The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said: “He encouraged protesters to take to the streets. The pro-Palestinian mob listened to the inciting messages and attacked La Vuelta. The sporting event that has always been a source of pride for Spain has been cancelled. Sánchez and his government: shame on Spain!”
The collapse of the third biggest Grand Tour of the year has plunged World Tour racing into crisis, with the continued presence of the Israel Premier Tech team, recently endorsed by Benjamin Netanyahu, the object of the increasingly enraged protest groups at the roadside.
A week ago, as pressure increased on the team, owned by the billionaire entrepreneur Sylvan Adams, to withdraw from the Vuelta, Netanyahu posted: “Great job to Sylvan and Israel’s cycling team for not giving in to hatred and intimidation. You make Israel proud!”
The disruptions throughout the three-week race affected multiple stages and led to the cancellation of planned stage finishes and the shortening of the race distance.
Vingegaard, speaking last Monday to Danish media, said of the protests: “People do it for a reason. It’s horrible what’s happening currently and I think those protesting do so here, because they need a forum to be heard.”
The Tour de France Grand Depart takes place in Barcelona in July next year and Spanish protest groups are targeting the French race. The Palestinian campaign for the academic and cultural boycott of Israel told Swiss media “protests will continue at cycling races as long as hypocritical western institutions absolve Israel”, adding: “The immediate finish line is the end of the genocide.”
Last week the civil disobedience group Futuro Vegetal said it was “very likely” that there would be further protests in Barcelona and added that “protesting at the Tour de France is the least we can do”.
Despite the cancellation of the stage, Vingegaard still won the race overall, from the Portuguese João Almeida in second place. It was the Dane’s third Grand Tour victory, after his wins in the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023. Tom Pidcock, double Olympic gold medallist in mountain biking, took his first Grand Tour podium, finishing third overall. The planned podium ceremony and final presentation ceremony were cancelled.
