US EditionMore than 1,500 police on hand for final stage of Spanish Vuelta amid pro-Palestinian protests
- Massive protests in support of Palestine disrupted the concluding stage of the 2025 Vuelta a España in Madrid, prompting race officials to halt the event and confirm Jonas Vingegaard as the overall champion.
- The protests against the Israeli-owned Premier Tech team's participation escalated amid broader tensions over Israel's 2023 Gaza offensive and related civilian casualties, fueling widespread disruptions throughout the three-week race.
- During the final stage, thousands of protesters blocked the route near Gran Via, clashed with police, overturned barricades, and caused the peloton to stop, forcing police to escort riders off the course.
- Over 1,500 police officers were stationed to maintain order, while Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez conveyed his respect for the public’s activism supporting causes such as Palestine; meanwhile, conservative figures criticized the protests for their disorderly nature.
- The cancellation marked an unprecedented disruption to La Vuelta with no podium ceremony held, highlighting ongoing political divisions in Spain and the challenges of hosting international sporting events amid geopolitical conflicts.
324 Articles
324 Articles
Spain PM ’proud’ of pro-Palestinian protests at Vuelta
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Sunday said pro-Palestinian protests that have rocked the Vuelta a España filled him with "pride" as large demonstrations await the race's final stage in Madrid. The protests, which have targeted the Israel-Premier Tech team over the devastating war in Gaza, have disrupted several stages of one of cycling's three grand tours and cast doubt on whether the 21-day race could be completed. The activism has for…
The organization also stated that this support could "question the country's ability to host major international sporting events."
The disruptions caused by the pro-Palestinian demonstrations during the Vuelta raise questions about the safety of future cycling races, notably the Tour de France On the same
Cycling global body UCI ‘regrets’ Spanish govt support for pro-Palestinian Vuelta protests
After Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed support for the protests, the UCI responded with a statement saying “this position is contradictory to the Olympic values of unity, mutual respect, and peace”.
Following the chaotic end of La Vuelta in Madrid, the Spanish Prime Minister camped on his positions on Monday, reaffirming his "admiration" for the pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had disrupted the event, and suggesting that Israel should be excluded from sports competitions "as long as barbarism continued" in Gaza.
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