Palestine protesters disrupt end of major cycling race in Spain

Pro-Palestine protesters interrupted the end of the Vuelta a España on Sunday, bringing the major cycling race to a haphazard conclusion.

Race organizers cut the Vuelta’s final stage short after demonstrators smashed through barricades designed to protect the course in Madrid.

“Due to the protests in Madrid, the race ended earlier than planned and there will be no podium ceremony,” race officials said.

Jonas Vingegaard, the Danish cyclist who was leading the race entering Sunday, was declared the winner. Vingegaard won the 2022 and 2023 Tours de France.

Pro-Palestine protesters were a frequent presence throughout the Vuelta, disrupting seven of the final 11 stages of the race. The demonstrators were angered by the inclusion of a team named Israel-Premier Tech, and demanded the squad’s removal from the race.

Because of the earlier protests, organizers made an extra effort to secure Sunday’s final stage, deploying more than 1,500 police officers along the route. However, protesters overturned barriers near the stage finish and occupied the track, forcing officials to abandon the race even after attempting a restart.

Last year, Spain became one of the first European nations to publicly recognize a Palestinian state, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez praised the Vuelta protesters before the final stage.

“Our respect and recognition for the athletes and our admiration for the Spanish people who are mobilizing for just causes like Palestine,” he said.

With News Wire Services