WATCH: Pro-Palestinian protests force early end to La Vuelta race in Madrid
Crowds flooded the streets and blocked riders during the closing stage of Spain’s most prestigious cycling race
Ni en mis mejores sueños pensaba que iba a haber esta reacción a nivel nacional en favor de Palestina.
— José Vico 🔻🇵🇸🇿🇦 (@josevico4) September 14, 2025
Pero es que, de Madrid menos aún.
Estas imágenes están dando la vuelta al mundo.
Orgullo de mi pueblo.
Gracias Madrid.
Palestina lliure 🇵🇸🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/zXpiEPVDjs
La Vuelta, Spain’s most important cycling race and one of the sport’s three Grand Tours, came to an abrupt end in Madrid on Sunday September 14 after large pro-Palestinian demonstrations forced organisers to cancel the final stage.
Thousands of protesters carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans in support of Gaza pushed past barriers and entered the course, blocking the peloton during what was meant to be a ceremonial ride through the capital. The disruption left no option but to halt proceedings and declare the race over.
Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard, who had secured an unassailable lead with victory in Saturday’s mountain stage, was officially crowned champion. He became the first Dane to win La Vuelta and celebrated his third Grand Tour triumph after back-to-back Tour de France victories in 2022 and 2023.
But the traditional victory lap and podium ceremony never took place.
The unrest was the culmination of weeks of protests over the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team, with campaigners targeting the event from its fifth stage onwards. Demonstrations had already shortened some stages and even caused crashes when activists spilled onto the track.
Ahead of the Madrid finale, authorities deployed a massive security operation of more than 1,100 police officers, the largest in the city since the 2022 NATO summit. Despite the reinforcements, barriers were breached repeatedly, and police formed tight lines near landmarks such as the Prado Museum and Cibeles Square to contain the crowds.
Footage broadcast on Spanish television showed Vingegaard shaking hands with teammates while awaiting news of whether the race could continue. Just before 6.30pm, organisers confirmed the final stage was cancelled.
“For security reasons, stage 21 of La Vuelta has been ended early. There will be no podium ceremony,” they announced.
The scenes prompted strangely contrasting political responses, with some condemning the violence even as others appeared to play it down.
Madrid’s mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, who was present during the protests, said: “Violence has defeated sport, and I hold the President of the Spanish government responsible.”
But the government’s delegate in the capital, Francisco Martín, described the demonstration as peaceful, estimating 100,000 attendees. “The extraordinary response deployed today by the State Security Forces and the Madrid Municipal Police allows us to report that the protest against the genocide in Gaza was resolved without serious incident,” he said.
The chaotic ending ensured the 2025 edition of La Vuelta will be remembered as one of the most volatile in the race’s history. For Vingegaard, however, it still marked a career milestone, even if he was denied the celebrations that usually accompany victory in Madrid.
Image: @danyconygriega
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