Vuelta alters Madrid finale route amid renewed protest concerns

First, the change: after 43 kilometers of racing, the peloton would arrive in Aravaca, on the outskirts of the Madrid metropolitan area. After riding through the center, the riders would head to the Spanish capital, but now the decision has been made to stay on the M-30 until the old route is rejoined a few kilometers later.

The organization has not given a reason for shortening the stage. “We would like to inform you that the route of stage 21 has been modified,” according to a press release. The change takes place before the final circuit, with the removal of the section through the village of Aravaca, shortening the stage by approximately five kilometers.

It's all a bit mysterious, but what exactly is going on? The Vuelta has already had to intervene three times due to pro-Palestinian protests. First, no winner was declared in Bilbao after the finish was deemed unsafe. Later, Egan Bernal was declared the winner in Mos—Castro de Herville, where the entire final climb was scrapped. The time trial in Valladolid was also shortened.

Even though the organization is reluctant to comment, it seems likely that protests are once again the reason for shortening the final stage. Many protests are expected in Madrid, where the organization has deployed a large number of extra security personnel: no fewer than 1,100 police officers and 400 civil guards will be present. This is particularly around the final circuit, where a large part of the race will be completed.

This also means that there will not be many men left for any other major protests. A large protest is expected in Aravaca, according to El País. Hundreds of people will gather there. People are busy making Palestinian flags themselves because they are sold out in Madrid. That is why flags from the Extremadura region have been purchased: the black, white, and green flag will then be modified with a red triangle, according to organizer Rodrigo Gonzalo.

The massive protests have grown after José Luis Martínez-Almeida, the mayor of Madrid, denied last week that what is happening in Gaza is genocide. In response, the municipal opposition called for a joint peaceful protest. This means that the largest police effort since the NATO summit in Madrid will be needed on Sunday.