Vuelta finale cancelled amid pro-Palestine protests in Madrid

The final stage of the Vuelta a España has been halted by a human rights demonstration in Madrid. 

Activists protesting Israel-Premier Tech's presence in the race amid Israel's ongoing invasion of Gaza spilled onto the finishing circuit and the decision was soon taken to cancel stage 21. 

The peloton first stopped with 58km remaining after a group of pro-Palestine protestors spilled onto the course and blocked riders at the rear of the bunch.

Following discussions between riders, commissaires and the race organisation, the peloton soft-pedalled towards the finishing circuit, but they came to a complete halt shortly afterwards.

Television images showed masses of demonstrators spilling onto the finishing circuit in Madrid. Police officer placed barriers across the road at the 8km to go banner, where a large group of protestors chanted in solidarity with Palestine.

The finishing straight on Paseo de la Castellana was soon overrun with protestors and law enforcement officers, and it quickly became apparent that the Vuelta's final stage would be cancelled.

The race organisation did not make a formal statement, but Spanish state broadcaster TVE reported that the stage had been suspended. Riders made their way to their team buses, signalling that the Vuelta had come to an end.

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) is thus confirmed as the winner of the 2025 Vuelta, though the organisation later announced that there would be no podium ceremony.

Human rights protests in solidarity with Palestine have been a daily occurrence on the 2025 Vuelta. Over 64,000 people, the vast majority of them civilians, have been killed since Israel invaded Gaza almost two years ago in response to the October 7 terrorist attacks, which killed more than 1,200 people.

Stage 11 into Bilbao was halted with 3km to go and no winner was declared due to a demonstration on the finishing straight on the city’s Gran Vía.

Stage 15 saw the finishing climb of Castro de Herville removed from the route due to a demonstration with 3km to go, while the stage 18 time trial in Valladolid was shortened to 12.2km due to security concerns.

The Israel-Premier Tech squad was briefly blocked by demonstrators during the stage 5 team time trial in Figueres, while there were crashes on stages 10 and 15 after protestors and police spilled onto the road.

Members of the Spanish government, the Vuelta organisation and the Vuelta peloton called on Israel-Premier Tech to withdraw from the race. Team owner Sylvan Adams rejected the appeals, receiving support from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The team’s riders have been racing without the Israel-Premier Tech name on their kit since last weekend.

Ahead of the Vuelta’s finale in Madrid, it was reported that an additional 1,500 law enforcement officers had been deployed to police the route of stages 20 and 21. It was believed to be the biggest security operation in the Spanish capital since the 2022 NATO summit.

The largely processional final stage of the Vuelta was diverted around the towns of San Sebastian de los Reyes and Alcobendas before reaching Madrid due to Palestinian solidarity demonstrations. 

It was clear, however, that there would larger demonstrations on the streets of the capital, and protestors succeeded in stepping into the course and blocking riders with 58km remaining.

Reporters at the stage finish in Madrid have reported seeing a sit-down protest near the finish line as well as multiple clashes between police officers and protestors. 

Earlier on Sunday, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez had expressed admiration for the peaceful demonstrations in solidarity with the people of Gaza throughout the Vuelta.

“Today marks the end of the Vuelta a España. Respect and recognition for the athletes. And our admiration for the Spanish people who mobilize for just causes like Palestine,” he said.