Authorities say over 100,000 at pro-Palestinian protests that forced
early end to Spanish Vuelta
[September 15, 2025]
By TALES AZZONI
MADRID (AP) — Spanish authorities said more than 100,000 people took
part in the pro-Palestinian protests that interrupted the final stage of
the Spanish Vuelta and forced organizers to cut short the cycling Grand
Tour event on Sunday, capping a campaign of disruptions.
The central government’s representative for the Madrid region said
authorities estimated more than 100,000 people were on the streets
during Sunday’s protests which criticized the presence of the Israel
Premier Tech cycling team. Francisco Martín added that two people were
detained by police, and 22 people were injured, none of them seriously.
The number of protesters could not be independently verified.
Visma-Lease a Bike rider Jonas Vingegaard was confirmed as the overall
winner of the three-week cycling race.
Race organizers later released a statement saying they regretted not
being able to finish the stage as planned because of the “lamentable
incidents in Madrid.”
There were clashes between police and protesters near the route finale
in Madrid. Some protesters carrying anti-Israel banners partly blocked
the road and forced riders to stop.
There was no stage winner and the podium ceremony was called off because
of security concerns.
'A moment of eternity'
“It’s a pity that such a moment of eternity was taken from us,"
Vingegaard said. "I’m really disappointed about that. I was looking
forward to celebrating this overall win with my team and the fans.
Everyone has the right to protest, but not in a way that influences or
endangers our race.”
The teams reportedly improvised a private podium ceremony later so
riders could celebrate.
Organizers said the final stage “ended early to ensure the safety of the
riders.”
There were about 50 kilometers (31 miles) left on the 21st stage that
was a mostly ceremonial ride into Madrid.
Vingegaard had extended his overall lead over João Almeida on Saturday
with a lead of 1 minute, 16 seconds over Almeida.
It was Vingegaard’s third Grand Tour title, adding to his pair of Tour
de France titles won in 2022 and 2023.
Police escort
The protesters threw barriers onto the road on a finishing circuit in
the Spanish capital. Riders had been expected to do nine laps on the
circuit.
Several hundred protesters stayed on the road where the race was
supposed to pass by. Anti-Israel banners were also hung from nearby
buildings. The protests continued well into the evening in Madrid, most
of them peaceful.
Earlier, protesters threw objects at police and officers used teargas to
try to disperse the crowds. Spanish media reported that authorities said
20 people were injured and at least two people were detained.
The race had resumed briefly Sunday after riders were originally told by
race organizers to stop because of the protests, but they eventually had
to stop again.
Police escorted the riders as they left the track.
Protesters carrying Palestine flags jeered when the teams’ support cars
passed by them along the route.
Police in riot gear had confronted protesters at different points along
the route. More than 1,500 police officers had been deployed ahead of
the last stage.
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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, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP
Photo/Manu Fernández)
There had been no major incidents as the riders set off on the
103.6-kilometer (64.3-mile) final stage starting in nearby Alalpardo.
Spanish media said tens of thousands of protesters participated.
Some 50,000 fans had been expected in the Spanish capital.
Diplomatic battleground
The Grand Tour event turned into a diplomatic battleground and was
largely disrupted by protesters against Israel Premier Tech, which
earlier in the race removed the team name from its uniforms.
Israel Premier Tech rider Matthew Riccitello placed fifth overall
and ended with the white jersey for best youngest finisher overall.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez joined Ireland and Norway in
recognizing a Palestinian state last year, and Spain became the
first European country to ask a U.N. court for permission to join
South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide. Before the protests
on Sunday, he called for respect for the athletes but expressed his
admiration for those mobilizing for such causes.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar later Sunday on X criticized
Sánchez for what he said was encouragement for the protesters.
Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida also criticized Sánchez and
described Sunday's events as a sad day for the Spanish capital.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern
Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly
civilians, and abducting 251. There are still 48 hostages remaining
in Gaza, of whom Israel believes that 20 are still alive.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 64,871
Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t say
how many were civilians or combatants.
During the cycling event in Spain, seven of the last 11 days of
racing were either cut short or interrupted, with more than 20
people detained by police. During one stage, a protester carrying a
Palestinian flag tried to run on to the road ahead of riders,
causing two to crash. They continued but one rider had to eventually
pull out of the race.
The route of the final stage was cut short by 5 kilometers (3.1
miles) over traffic concerns. Previous stages were also altered
because of safety concerns over the protests.
Authorities had said the heavy police presence would be deployed for
the finale in Madrid to add to the 130 officers already traveling
with the race. Military-type trucks, officers in riot gear and
horse-riding police were seen near the route in Madrid.
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