Pro-Palestinian protests on Sunday forced the cancellation of the final stage of the Vuelta a España in Madrid, with Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard declared the overall winner. Police tried to control the demonstrations, which targeted the participation of the Israel Premier Tech cycling team.Protesters shouting “they will not pass” overturned barriers and blocked the race route at several points. Police attempted to move them away. Race organizers later said they regretted being unable to complete the stage due to the “lamentable incidents in Madrid.”
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez earlier said he felt “admiration for the Spanish people mobilising for just causes like Palestine” by protesting during the race.The central government’s representative for Madrid, Francisco Martín, said more than 100,000 people had gathered in the city. He confirmed that two people were detained and 22 were injured, none seriously.There were clashes near the race’s planned finish. Protesters carrying anti-Israel banners partly blocked the road, forcing riders to stop. Barriers were thrown onto the route, and several hundred protesters stayed on the circuit where riders were to complete nine laps. Anti-Israel banners were also hung from nearby buildings. The protests continued into the evening, most of them peaceful.Because of the disruption, there was no stage winner, and the podium ceremony was cancelled for security reasons.Earlier, objects were thrown at police, who responded with teargas. Spanish media reported 20 people injured and at least two detained.Israel’s nearly two-year-long campaign against Hamas has killed more than 64,000 people in Gaza, according to local authorities. It was prompted by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
