MADRID (Reuters) – Pro-Palestinian protests forced the abandonment of the Vuelta a Espana cycle race at its finale on Sunday, with Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard declared the winner as police sought to quell demonstrations against an Israeli team’s participation.
Protesters overturned metal barriers and occupied the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) race route at several points in the Spanish capital Madrid as police attempted to push them back.
“The race is over,” a spokesperson for the race organisers told Reuters.
The protests have targeted the Israel-Premier Tech team over Israel’s actions in Gaza. Some riders had threatened to quit last week as routes were blocked, causing some falls.
More than 1,000 police officers were deployed on Sunday as cyclists reached the final stage of the 21-day race in Madrid.
It had been due to end at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT).
Earlier in the day, Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he admired the protesters.
“Today marks the end of the Vuelta,” Sanchez told a party rally in the southern city of Malaga.
“Our respect and recognition for the athletes and our admiration for the Spanish people who are mobilising for just causes like Palestine.”
After the race was cancelled, clashes continued with protesters throwing bottles of water and other objects at police.
(Reporting by Guillermo Martinez and Graham Keeley, writing by Aislinn Laing; Editing by Helen Popper and Andrew Cawthorne)
