The Vuelta a España, one of cycling’s three great Grand Tours, ended not in triumph but in disgrace, after anti-Israel protesters stormed the course in Madrid and forced organizers to cut short the final stage.
As Reuters reported:
“Pro-Palestinian protests forced the Vuelta a Espana cycle race to be abandoned at its finale on Sunday, with Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard declared winner as police sought to quell demonstrations against an Israeli team’s participation.”
Instead of the traditional celebration, chaos reigned. According to the Guardian:
“The final stage of the Vuelta a España was abandoned in chaotic and violent scenes, after groups of pro-Palestine protesters swamped the finish line area and presentation podium in central Madrid on Sunday.”
This was not peaceful dissent. These mobs overturned barriers, hurled bottles, and physically endangered athletes. Reuters noted:
“Protesters chanting ‘they will not pass’ overturned metal barriers and occupied the Vuelta route at several points in Madrid as police attempted to push them back. Two people were arrested and 22 police officers injured, the Spanish government said.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez openly praised the demonstrators, a move blasted as reckless. Reuters quoted Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar:
“Today he encouraged demonstrators to take to the streets. The pro-Palestinian mob heard the incitement messages – and wrecked the La Vuelta cycling race.”
The mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, condemned the violence:
“(It’s) violence that the prime minister is directly responsible for due to his statements today in the morning instigating the protests… Today is the saddest day since I became mayor of this great city.”
This was not just an attack on a race, but on the very integrity of international sport. As pro-Isreal commentator Eylon Levy put it:
“BREAKING: The final stage of La Vuelta, one of the world’s top cycling races, was CUT SHORT after violent anti-Israel mobs stormed the finish line—attacking cyclists over the presence of an Israeli team. This is a global terrorist movement.”
Cycling is now on notice. If Spanish radicals can wreck La Vuelta, what will happen to the Tour de France Grand Depart in Barcelona next year? The ugly precedent is set: violent agitators can destroy historic sporting events in the name of politics.
The shame belongs not only to the mob, but to the leaders who continue to excuse them.
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