Protesters rallying against Israel’s actions in Gaza brought La Vuelta cycling race to an abrupt halt during its closing stage in Madrid on Sunday.
Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard was named the overall winner after police struggled to contain crowds objecting to the participation of the Israeli linked team.
Protesters pushed through metal barriers and occupied sections of the course across the Spanish capital, including Gran Via, where cyclists were due to pass multiple times. Police officers were forced into repeated attempts to clear the route.
‘The race is over,’ a spokesperson for the organisers told Spanish media. ‘The race has been officially ended and Jonas Vingegaard is the winner.’
At around 7pm local time, the organisers posted a short statement on social media: ‘For security reasons, stage 21 of La Vuelta has been ended early. There will be no podium ceremony.’ ALSO READ: Netanyahu accuses Sánchez of ‘blatant genocidal threat’ against Israel.
The Israel–Premier Tech team has been the focus of protests throughout the tour, with some cyclists threatening to withdraw in recent days after blockades disrupted stages and even caused crashes.
Israel-Premier Tech is a privately funded team, backed by billionaire Israeli-Canadian property developer Sylvan Adams, and not an official state team. Even so, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had praised the riders for staying in La Vuelta despite the widespread demonstrations. ALSO READ: 11th stage of Spain’s ‘La Vuelta’ cut short due to pro-Palestinian protesters.
More than 1,000 police officers had been deployed in Madrid for the final day of the 21-stage event, which had been scheduled to finish at 7pm. ALSO READ: Spain’s sports minister: Israeli teams should face same bans as imposed on Russia.
Protesters had briefly breached reinforced security and attempted to block the road during the penultimate stage in the Guadarrama mountains outside Madrid on Saturday, forcing cyclists to swerve around them.
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez voiced support for those taking to the streets. Speaking at a socialist (PSOE) rally in Málaga (Andalusia), he said: ‘Today marks the end of the Vuelta. Our respect and recognition for the athletes and our admiration for the Spanish people who are mobilising for just causes like Palestine.’
‘Spain today shines as an example and as a source of pride, an example to an international community where it sees Spain taking a step forward in the defence of human rights,’ he said in Málaga earlier on Sunday.
Spain, which recognised a Palestinian state in May 2024, has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Sánchez’s government announced new measures targeting Israeli military supplies earlier this month. ALSO READ: Spain imposes permanent weapons ban on Israel, among 8 other measures ‘to stop genocide’ in Gaza.
The leader of the main opposition People’s Party (PP), Alberto Núñez Feijóo, lashed out on X at the protest, which he said ‘gave such a shameful image’.
‘Instead of ministers encouraging it, the government should condemn, denounce and prevent it,’ he added.
Even after the cancellation was confirmed, tensions continued, with demonstrators hurling water bottles and other objects at police. ALSO READ: Spain-Israel rift widens as Madrid bars far-right ministers, recalls ambassador.
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Los manifestantes propalestina ocupan parte de la calle de Gran Vía, recorrido que forma parte de La Vuelta a España y por el que se espera que pasen los ciclistas.https://t.co/Xk35b2tIUZ pic.twitter.com/Zva1TgZOrf
— RTVE Noticias (@rtvenoticias) September 14, 2025
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