Pro-Palestinian protests force early end to Vuelta a España’s final stage in Madrid

MADRID — Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted the final stage of the Vuelta a España on Sunday, forcing organizers to end the race earlier than planned, halt riders on a finishing circuit in Madrid and cancel the podium ceremony amid clashes with police.

"Due to the protests in Madrid, the race ended earlier than planned and there will be no podium ceremony," race officials said. Organizers did not immediately publish the official results for the 21st stage or confirm the overall standings. Riders had roughly 50 kilometers remaining on the last stage when the event was stopped; Jonas Vingegaard of Visma–Lease a Bike had entered the largely ceremonial final day with a 1 minute, 16 second lead over João Almeida and was set to claim a third Grand Tour title after earlier extending his advantage on Saturday.

Protesters carrying Palestinian flags and anti-Israel banners partly blocked the finishing circuit and threw barriers onto the road, preventing riders from completing the planned nine laps. Several hundred demonstrators remained on the route, and anti-Israel banners were also displayed from nearby buildings. Police in riot gear confronted demonstrators at multiple points along the route while support vehicles passed under jeering from the crowd.

Authorities deployed a heavy security presence for the finale, with more than 1,500 officers assigned to the event in Madrid in addition to roughly 130 officers who had been traveling with the race. Military-style trucks, horse-mounted police and officers in riot gear were stationed near the route. Police removed barricades that protesters had placed on the course and later escorted riders as they left the circuit.

Seven of the last 11 days of the three-week race had already been cut short or interrupted by demonstrations, and more than 20 people were detained during the event, organizers and police said. During an earlier stage, a protester carrying a Palestinian flag entered the course and caused two riders to crash; they continued but one later abandoned the race. Organizers also shortened the route of the final stage by about 5 kilometers before Sunday’s problems, citing traffic and safety concerns.

The protests have been directed in part at the presence of the Israeli-owned team Premier Tech, which removed its name from team uniforms earlier in the race amid controversy. The Vuelta’s disruption in Madrid unfolded against a wider diplomatic backdrop: Spain recognized a Palestinian state last year and became the first European country to request permission from the International Court of Justice to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide. Those developments have heightened tensions around public events involving Israeli-linked entities.

Police said they expected some 6,000 protesters in Madrid on Sunday alongside an estimated 50,000 fans. The disruption forced race officials and authorities into repeated discussions during the stage; riders resumed briefly after an initial stoppage but were forced to stop again as the situation evolved. With security concerns prevailing, the traditional podium presentation in Madrid was called off.

Race organizers confirmed that discussions were ongoing to formalize the stage and overall classifications and that any official results would be released after review. Vingegaard, who has won the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023, was widely reported to be the overall leader and poised to add a third Grand Tour title, but organizers withheld immediate confirmation.

The Vuelta’s finale brought an abrupt end to a race repeatedly affected by demonstrations, leaving teams, riders and officials awaiting formal confirmation of standings while Spanish authorities continued to manage public order in the capital.