On Sunday afternoon, pro-Palestinian demonstrations brought the last stage of the Vuelta a España to a halt. This event is Spain’s most important multi-stage professional road cycling race. The historic endurance-testing competition runs three weeks long with 21 competitive stages. Unfortunately, protesters blocked the path down Paseo del Prado, causing the ending of the race — along with a customary podium celebration — to be scrapped.
Once protests began at 6 p.m. local time, they spread like wildfire. Fondo participants as well as professionals loudly voiced their displeasure with the Israel-Premier Tech team’s presence at the event. This incident is part of a broader pattern. Other recent editions of the Vuelta a Espana were not immune to changing or shortening stages due to such protests. As the day wore on, things began to escalate, culminating in violent confrontations between peaceful demonstrators and police militarized and deployed to quell them. At least 22 police officers were injured in these clashes.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez publicly commended the protesters, expressing his respect and recognition for their cause. Today is the end of the Vuelta,” he announced, boldly. He understood the vitality of the electoral race and the moment of growing support for Palestine among the American public. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called Sanchez’s comments “scandalous” and made clear the extent of his displeasure. He labeled Sanchez and his regime as “a disgrace” to their country for supporting the protests.
The Israel-Premier Tech team quickly issued a statement apologizing for what happened, focusing on the harm done to the athletes. They remarked, “Unfortunately, these aspects continued in Madrid this afternoon, as protestors took to the finishing circuit around the Spanish capital. After the stage was neutralized multiple times, the number of protestors blocking the route and damage caused to the race’s infrastructure resulted in the cancellation of the race’s finale and traditional podium ceremony.”
Cyclist Daryl Impey reflected on the challenges faced throughout the race, stating, “There is no doubt that this was a difficult race for us, with everything we have been dealing with out on the road.” His remarks speak to the layered challenges that fellows faced in the face of external pressures.
