Protests in Madrid have raised safety concerns among riders, contributing to incidents of crashes during a major cycling event. Recently, the team Israel-Premier Tech has donned modified jerseys that do not bear their team name. The organizers of the race announced that the current circumstances have led them to question whether a winning ceremony will take place, as large crowds of demonstrators are present in downtown Madrid.
The race has been officially concluded, with Jonas Vingegaard declared the winner. Following the abandonment of the race, clashes persisted, as protesters engaged in confrontations with police, throwing bottles and other objects. In response to the situation, race officials had previously reduced the length of the final stage of the Vuelta, decreasing it from 111.6 kilometers to 103.6 kilometers. However, the reasons for omitting certain sections, specifically those through the affluent neighborhood of Aravaca, were not disclosed.
The protests are linked to a recent escalation in conflict following a military campaign launched by Israel in Gaza, which was a response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023. This attack resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez publicly expressed admiration for the demonstrators in a speech prior to the final stage of the cycling event. He recognized both the athletes’ efforts and the citizens of Spain who are rallying for what they view as just causes, including support for Palestine.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/articles/crl5dele2wro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss