Vuelta a España Final Stage Abandoned Amid Pro-Palestinian Protests

The final stage of the Vuelta a España was abandoned after pro-Palestinian protesters entered part of the course in the centre of Madrid.

Protesters knocked down barriers and occupied the road at several points on the course including Gran Via, where cyclists were due to pass multiple times. More than 1,000 police officers had been deployed on to the streets of the Spanish capital, anticipating demonstrations.

Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard, who was leading going into the final stage, was declared the winner - marking his first Vuelta title. Cycling traditionally sees rivals not seeking to degrade the leader's position on the last race day。

The riders were stopped about 60 km from the finish before the stage was ultimately called off. Multiple protests have occurred against the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team throughout this year's event, impacting several race stages.

Riders faced safety concerns as crashes occurred due to the protests. Last week, the Israel-Premier Tech team altered their jerseys to avoid displaying their team name. After the abandonment, there was no podium presentation for Vingegaard or the other racers.

Vingegaard expressed disappointment over the event's disruption, stating, It's a pity that such a moment of eternity was taken from us. He emphasized the right to protest but criticized actions that jeopardize the race's integrity.

Protests intensified after the race's cancellation, with some demonstrators throwing objects at police. The event's organizers had previously shortened the final stage from 111.6 km to 103.6 km as a precaution.

These protests are a response to the Israeli military's actions in Gaza in light of a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, resulting in significant loss of life and ongoing tensions. The death toll in Gaza has reached alarming figures since the renewed conflict started.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez voiced admiration for the protesters, which drew criticism from Madrid's mayor, who attributed the day's violence to Sanchez's remarks. In contrast, Israel's foreign minister condemned the situation, labeling the Spanish leadership as disgraceful for its perceived support of the protests.