Sports

Vuelta a Espana 2025: Final Day Halted By Pro-Palestinian Protesters In Madrid

Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the final stage of the Spanish Vuelta, throwing barriers onto the road and clashing with police as the three-week-long race ended with chaotic scenes in Madrid. Authorities said two people were arrested and 22 injured, none of them seriously, in confrontations between police and protesters Sunday near the finish line in the city center. Organizers abandoned the stage with about 50 kilometers (31 miles) remaining as protesters opposing the participation of Israeli team Israel Premier Tech broke through police barriers and blocked the course. The central government’s representative for the Madrid region said an estimated 100,000 people were on the streets during the protests.

Spain Cycling La Vuelta
Vuelta Cycling Race Photo: AP/Andrea Comas

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain.

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Vuelta Cycling Race
Spain Cycling La Vuelta Photo: AP/Manu Fernández

Protesters block the road in an attempt to disrupt the twenty-first stage of the Spanish cycling race La Vuelta, from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain.

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La Vuelta Cycling Race
La Vuelta Cycling Race Photo: AP/Manu Fernández

A protester waves a Palestinian flag on top of fences used as barricades to block the street to disrupt the twenty-first stage of the Spanish cycling race La Vuelta, from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain.

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La Vuelta Cycling Race
Spain Cycling La Vuelta Photo: AP/Andrea Comas

A protester argues with police as they try to disrupt the twenty-first stage of the Spanish cycling race La Vuelta, from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain.

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Spain Cycling La Vuelta
La Vuelta Cycling Race Photo: AP/Manu Fernández

Protesters clash with police as they block the road trying to disrupt the twenty-first stage of the Spanish cycling race La Vuelta, from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain.

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Spain Cycling La Vuelta
Spain Cycling La Vuelta Photo: AP/Manu Fernández

Protesters block the road in an attempt to disrupt the twenty-first stage of the Spanish cycling race La Vuelta, from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain.

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La Vuelta Cycling Race
La Vuelta Cycling Race Photo: AP/Manu Fernández

Police try to disperse protesters who block the road in an attempt to disrupt the twenty-first stage of the Spanish cycling race La Vuelta, from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain.

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