The 21st stage of the Vuelta a España ended in drama. The final stage began with festivities, but when the riders entered the circuit in Madrid, it quickly became clear that massive protests afflicted the Spanish capital. These were pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli, with people blocking the road and destroying fences. The riders were therefore stopped.
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The day began shortly before 5 PM local time in a way we see in almost all grand tours: laughing, shouting, taking photos, and slowly riding along towards the capital. The race was supposed to start in Madrid, with ten laps on a local circuit. Nearly 2,000 police officers would heavily guard that lap to prevent pro-Palestinian protests.
That didn't work, just as the Vuelta organization had failed to keep things safe on several occasions over the past three weeks. Protesters arrived early in Madrid, and when the riders entered the Spanish capital, they were quickly stopped by people with banners. The riders came to a halt, and everyone knew: it was over.
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It was a surreal scene, but after days of warnings, it was not entirely unexpected. Protesters flooded the course, and the riders were led out of the city before they had even passed the podium in Madrid. Due to the lack of security, there would be no ceremony to honor the winners of the GC on Sunday evening.
Images: Madrid endures protests in final stage of Vuelta a España
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
🚴🇪🇸 | Het peloton is amper op het plaatselijke circuit in Madrid of het gaat mis. Vreselijk mis... Het lijkt er sterk op dat de Vuelta abrupt wordt beëindigd. Ongelooflijk, maar waar... #LaVuelta25
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