Pro-Palestine Protests Halt Vuelta a España Final Stage Madrid

The final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race in Madrid was cancelled due to large pro-Palestinian protests opposing the participation of the Israel Premier Tech team. Over 100,000 demonstrators gathered, blocking the race route, tearing down barriers, and chanting slogans against Israel's actions in Gaza, leading to clashes with police who deployed tear gas and made arrests. Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard was declared the overall winner, though the stage and podium ceremony were cancelled for security reasons amid ongoing disruptions throughout the race. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed admiration for the protesters while also calling for respect toward the athletes. The protests highlighted Spain's political stance, as the country has recognized a Palestinian state and supported international legal actions accusing Israel of genocide. The demonstrations, which have been persistent over the past weeks, raised safety concerns and significantly impacted the race's completion.