The last stage of Spain's Vuelta cycling race was called off just moments before it was due to end as pro-Palestine protesters flooded the roads of Madrid.
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The final stage of Spain's Vuelta cycling race was abandoned after hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters flooded the course.
On Sunday afternoon, the streets of Madrid saw clashes between police and pro-Palestine demonstrators as cyclists were entering Madrid for the final stretch of the race. Protesters knocked down barriers and marched through the course with banners reading "Boicot Israel Genocidio No" (Boycott Israel Genocide No), as police sprayed tear gas and charged the crowd.
Earlier in the day, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had praised protesters for their actions held along the race during the previous days. Speaking during a Socialist Workers' Party rally in the Southern city of Malaga, Sanchez said "our respect and recognition for the athletes and our admiration for the Spanish people who are mobilising for just causes like Palestine."
Opposition leader Isabel Diaz Ayuso criticised Sanchez's comments, saying that he would be "directly responsible for every incident that occurs."
Despite the final stage of the race being cancelled by organisers for the first time in its history, Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard, who led going into the 21st and final stage, was declared winner.
Spain's Vuelta race faced difficulties throughout the race, as pro-Palestine protesters held demonstrations at multiple stages, leading to Madrid mobilising additinal security forces for the final leg.
Far from the festive atmosphere that usually accompanies the peloton's arrival in the capital, this year's end of race was held under heavy security, with 1,100 police officers and 400 members of the Guardia Civil deployed.
The protests, which were organised by the Palestinian Committee of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) under the slogan "The only goal: Free Palestine", targeted the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team throught the race.
The leaders of IU, Podemos and Más Madrid backed the rallies, which were planned along the route of final stage, a 106.6-kilometre stretch between Alalpardo and the centre of the Spanish capital.
For his part, the Danish winner of the race Jonas Vingegaard expressed understanding towards the protesters. "Everyone has the right to protest. I understand the reason, but it's a shame that it has to happen here," he told local media.
Tension until the last moment
During the penultimate stage finishing at the Bola del Mundo on Saturday, around a hundred activists blocked the road 18 kilometres from the finish line. One demonstrator was arrested for assaulting a police officer.
Some Podemos leaders, such as Ione Belarra and Irene Montero, took part in parallel protests in Cercedilla that forced the route to be altered.