‘Disgrace to Spain’: Vuelta bicycle race cancelled amid violent pro-Palestinian & anti-Israeli protests in Madrid

The last leg of the Vuelta a Espana bicycle race, which had been plagued by sometimes violent protests against the Israel-Premier Tech team, was cancelled before its end amid new protests that blocked the course on Sunday.

The organizers broke off the race: “It is still unknown whether there will be a winning ceremony with the situation as it is, with thousands of protestors filling downtown Madrid. The race has been officially ended and Jonas Vingegaard is the winner.”

Riders and teams later self-organized an award ceremony in a parking lot.

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.
pic.twitter.com/cMmTmBAs8u

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) September 14, 2025

Amid clashes between demonstrators and the police, at least 22 officers suffered injuries, and two people were arrested.

Shortly before the last leg of the race, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had praised the anti-Israeli protests, prompting Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who has been sparring with him for months, to dub Sanchez and his government “a disgrace to Spain!”

A few days ago, the Prime Minister of Spain expressed regret that he didn’t have an atomic bomb “to stop Israel.”
Today he encouraged demonstrators to take to the streets.
The pro-Palestinian mob heard the incitement messages – and wrecked the “La Vuelta” cycling race. Thus, the…

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) September 14, 2025

“A few days ago, the Prime Minister of Spain expressed regret that he didn’t have an atomic bomb ‘to stop Israel.’ Today he encouraged demonstrators to take to the streets. The pro-Palestinian mob heard the incitement messages – and wrecked the ‘La Vuelta’ cycling race. Thus, the sporting event that had always been a source of pride for Spain was canceled,” Sa’ar wrote on 𝕏.

Sanchez has been among the continent’s harshest critics of Israel in recent months. Earlier Sunday, he expressed his “recognition and full respect for the athletes, but also our admiration for a people like Spain's, which mobilises for just causes, like Palestine.”

Vuelta 2025 in two pictures… #LaVuelta25 pic.twitter.com/BdQlfwqQQ5

— Lukáš Ronald Lukács (@lucasaganronald) September 14, 2025

“Spain today shines as an example and as a source of pride, an example to an international community where it sees Spain taking a step forward in the defence of human rights,” he declared at a gathering of his Socialist party.

During Sunday’s final stage of the race, protesters broke onto the course, overturning metal barriers meant to hold back onlookers, throwing some of them on the street, and occupying the route at several points.

Some riders were even grabbed by protesters and hindered from driving around them.

Past protests had led to mass accidents and injured several of the racers. In anticipation of large protests in the capital, police had deployed over 1,000 police officers.

After the initial protests, the Israel–Premier Tech team removed its full name from its jerseys following targeted demonstrations against the squad.

Foreign Minister Sa’ar also retweeted several posts by conservative Spanish politicians criticizing the government and the protests.

The conservative People’s Party account for the community of Madrid wrote: “It is the saddest day for the city of Madrid. Madrid has overflowed with violence.”

“Some will celebrate it as a triumph, including the president of the government, whom I hold directly responsible for what has happened and what may happen on the streets of Madrid. Violence has triumphed over sports. The government delegate will have to explain why the violent ones have won today,” the post read.

Sa’ar also shared a post by the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, a member of the same party.

“When the president of the Nation cheers on the boycott against the Vuelta Ciclista a España, in his own capital, he becomes directly responsible for every incident that occurs. Whether the race is stopped or there is a single act of aggression. What harm to our sport and our country!”