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Pro-Palestinian protests halted the Vuelta a España finale in Madrid. Jonas Vingegaard was declared winner as clashes erupted over Israel-Premier Tech.
Pro-Palestine protestors took to the streets of Madrid during Vuelta (X)
The Vuelta a España ended in chaos on Sunday after pro-Palestinian protests forced organisers to abandon the finale in Madrid.
Danish star Jonas Vingegaard was declared the overall winner, though the podium ceremony was cancelled as police battled demonstrators who opposed the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team.
Demonstrations Disrupt the Final Stage
Chanting “They will not pass,” protesters toppled barriers and occupied sections of the course in central Madrid. Police struggled to restore order, with the Spanish government confirming two arrests and 22 officers injured during clashes.
La Vuelta la gana Palestina 🇵🇸✌🏾Impresionante 🌊 marea humana que ha logrado cancelar #LaVuelta25Gracias a todas las personas y colectivos organizados que han logrado el fin del blanqueamiento de Israel en este evento deportivo.
🚳Fuera sionistas de nuestro deporte y cultura. pic.twitter.com/a52ycGLNX7
— BDS Madrid 🇵🇸 (@BDSMadrid) September 14, 2025
“The race is over,” organisers announced, cutting short the traditional celebratory finale. Vingegaard, who secured his first Vuelta crown, celebrated quietly from the back of his team car.
The chaotic scenes capped three weeks of racing across Spain, with protests already disrupting earlier stages and riders threatening withdrawals.
Political Reactions
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez voiced support for the demonstrators, calling their actions an example of “the Spanish people mobilising for just causes like Palestine.”
The protests directly targeted Israel-Premier Tech, whose involvement has become a lightning rod amid escalating anger over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
Wider Sporting Fallout
The Gaza conflict has had ripple effects across global sport. Earlier this week, seven Israeli chess players withdrew from a Spanish tournament after being informed they could not compete under their national flag. Similar controversies have emerged in football, basketball, and athletics, where teams and federations face pressure over political stances.
The War Behind the Protests
According to Gaza health officials, more than 64,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its campaign against Hamas nearly two years ago. The war followed Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that left 1,200 dead in Israel and saw 251 hostages taken, figures cited by Israeli authorities.
(with agency inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
September 15, 2025, 10:08 IST
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