THE iconic Spanish Vuelta’s final stage was cancelled on Sunday after rowdy pro-Palestinian demonstrators stormed the track in Madrid.
Jonas Vingegaard, from Denmark, won the annual competition but was denied crossing the line in triumph when protesters blocked the finish line – causing organisers to abandon the event.
AFPPro-Palestinians protesters invade the street during the 21st and last stage of the Vuelta a Espana 2025[/caption]
AFPPro-Palestinians protesters forced the final stage of the Spanish Vuelta to be cancelled[/caption]
ReutersIt comes after weeks of protesting against the Israeli-Premier Tech team’s participation[/caption]
Swathes of pro-Palestine campaigners washed over the capital for the 21st stage of the competition.
The trouble-ridden event came to a close after facing weeks of furious criticism over the Israeli-Premier Tech team’s participation.
Waving Palestinian flags and chanting pro-Gaza slogans, scores of demonstrators tore down barriers before spilling onto the course where athletes were set to pass.
An increased amount of police officers had been deployed in preparation for the expected tension.
Cops called it an “extraordinary deployment”, and responded to the crowds with tear gas and charges.
After learning organisers had cancelled the stage before the cyclists had even arrived due to the raucous, demonstrators cheered in triumph.
Waves of protesters were seen chanting: “Palestine wins this Vuelta!”
They shouted terms including “boycott Israel“, “it’s not a war, it’s a genocide”, “no more deaths of innocent children”, while swamping the streets.
The protests, which aim to shed light on the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, had already generated huge attention and disrupted the race on several occasions.
The activism had forced some stages to be shortened – and in some cases caused crashes with demonstrators bursting onto the track.
The uncontrollable scenes sparked fears for rider safety and the integrity of the competition.
Anticipating more trouble for the finale of one of Europe‘s most prestigious bike races, authorities deployed 1,100 cops to Madrid.
It marked the largest security arrangement since the 2022 Nato summit.
Despite the strength in numbers, reinforcements were unable to stop the relentless security breaches.
The route was due to pass landmarks including the Prado art museum and Cibeles Square, where police regrouped and blocked the demonstration.
Demonstrators wearing traditional keffiyeh Palestinian scarves yelled slogans before meeting a seemingly impenetrable line of police officers guarding the course.
Tense confrontations occasionally broke out, AFP reported.
AFPProtesters have already caused cyclist crashes in earlier stages of the competition[/caption]
EPAProtesters roared slogans and waved banners[/caption]
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