Last stage of the Vuelta a España cancelled

The final stage of the 2025 Vuelta a España ended in unprecedented and chaotic fashion in Madrid, after being cancelled by the organizers due to protesters blocking the peloton.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters occupied key areas of the route, such as Atocha, Cibeles, Gran Vía and Neptuno, tearing down fences and preventing cyclists from passing.

Despite a police presence of approximately 1,500 officers, the security forces' firefights failed to disperse the protests. Protesters celebrated the cancellation as a "symbolic victory" against the presence of the Israel-Premier Tech team.

With the race neutralized 56 kilometers from the finish line, the organization confirmed the cancellation of the final stage and the podium ceremony in Madrid.

Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard was declared the winner of the Vuelta for the first time, adding this achievement to his two Tour de France victories. Portugal's João Almeida finished second, and Britain's Thomas Pidcock finished third.

The episode also had strong political repercussions, with the opposition blaming the Prime Minister for what happened, accusing him of inciting protests after he publicly praised the demonstrations.

Before protesters took to the streets and the police were called in, Pedro Sánchez expressed his support for those demonstrating in Spain for Palestine, stating that he had "absolute recognition and respect for athletes, but also for a people like the Spanish who mobilize for just causes like Palestine."

Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accuses the government of “having allowed and induced the non-completion of the Vuelta a España and, in this way, [having caused] a ridiculous moment broadcast on televisions around the world”.

The PP president said he defends freedom of expression "as long as it doesn't involve violence or altercations," adding: "I don't support Hamas. Much less do I want their applause."

The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Ayuso, blamed Sánchez for "encouraging" the "boycott of the Vuelta." The president of the Madrid council, José Luíz Martínez-Almeida, said the disturbances portrayed Spain as "shameful." "Violence has triumphed over sport, and I hold the prime minister responsible for that," he said.

The controversy has taken on an international dimension, with Israel's Foreign Minister declaring Pedro Sánchez and his government "a disgrace to Spain." "A few days ago, the Spanish Prime Minister lamented not having an atomic bomb to deter Israel. Today, he encouraged protesters to take to the streets. The pro-Palestinian crowd listened to the incitement messages and exploded with the Vuelta a España," wrote Gideon Saar in X.

Meanwhile, after the clashes, Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz posted a message on social media "supporting the mobilizations for the Palestinian people." Without expressing regret, the Minister of Labor and Economy said that "Spanish society will not tolerate the genocide in Gaza being normalized in sporting and cultural events" and argued that "Israel cannot participate in any event" in the country.