The 2025 Vuelta ended abruptly after pro-Palestinian protesters and those against the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team stopped the race on the last stage shortly after entering the city of Madrid and in the midst of the chaos that was beginning to take over the capital, a far cry from a start to the route full of celebrations and even glasses of champagne, which is customary.
In those first kilometers Vingegaard celebrated what was his third 'major' stage race after his two Tours de France, the UAE his great race, despite not winning the general classification, and the others what understood his success, which for some teams, such as Burgos Burpellet BH, is reaching Madrid.
Chaos and tension in the Vuelta a España
The joy and celebratory atmosphere in the peloton lasted for a while, because as they approached the capital of Spain, it was clear that the atmosphere was heating up and that reaching the finish line, which they had to cross ten times, was going to be very difficult.
It was impossible. The protesters intensified their protests, invaded the race course, and the runners had to stop. After a second attempt to continue, they headed toward their team vehicles.
They did well because what awaited them ahead, and especially at the finish line, was worse. Chaos erupted, banners flew, fences fell, and peaceful protests erupted, there was a police response, and what was happening had nothing to do with cycling or the Vuelta.
In the 100km section, the cyclists switched from champagne, which they toasted at the start, to smoke bombs, which closed a Vuelta marked by pro-Palestinian protests and with the peloton and the organization in constant tension over their goal of reaching Madrid. They made it, but not as far as they wanted, until the finish line at Cibeles.
On Gran Vía, in the heart of the city, in Atocha, near the train station, but also in Plaza de Colón, the barriers protecting the final circuit, which the cyclists had to pass through several times, were torn down. The police reacted by charging and firing tear gas before allowing the protesters to move on and take to the streets.
The peloton stopped about 56 kilometers from the finish line, while several protesters protesting the presence of the Israel-Premier Tech team due to the war in Gaza tried to block its path with a banner. After a few minutes, the riders slowly resumed their march, escorted by the red cars of race management. But they only advanced a few meters before stopping again, as it became clear that this final stage would never be finished.
'Palestine wins this round'
The announcement of the race's definitive suspension was hailed as a victory by the protesters."This Vuelta, Palestine wins it," they chanted. The ceremonial end of the race was also canceled.
Since arriving in Spain after the start of the Vuelta a España three weeks ago in Italy and a stop in France, the race, one of the most important on the cycling calendar, has been the scene of pro-Palestinian demonstrations almost daily.
The protests disrupted the riders, causing some crashes, and several stages had to be shortened by the organizers in a country where the Palestinian cause is very popular. On Sunday, before the afternoon incidents, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his"pride" in the protesters, while emphasizing his"respect" for the athletes.
The final stage, intended for sprinters, had no impact on the overall standings, barring an accident. The battle for the overall victory concluded on Saturday with the victory of
Vingegaard at the top of the World Cup. In the end, the Dane won by 1 minute and 16 seconds over Portugal's Joao Almeida and 2 minutes and 11 seconds over Britain's Tom Pidcock.
Vingegaard, at 28, wins his third Grand Tour after his victories at the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023."It's a shame that this moment of eternity was stolen from us. I'm very sad. I was happy to be able to celebrate with the team and the fans. Everyone has the right to demonstrate, but not in a way that influences or jeopardizes our career," the Dane said in a statement from his Visma-Lease a Bike team.
