Overview

• Five of the last 10 days of racing were shortened or interrupted, and police reported more than 20 detentions tied to protests targeting Israel–Premier Tech.
• A flag-bearing demonstrator got too close to the peloton and triggered a crash, and riders have voted to stop racing if safety is threatened again.
• Organizers concede the open-road course cannot be fully sealed across rural and forested stretches, prompting tactical changes including a shortened time trial and restricted access to summit finishes.
• Israel–Premier Tech has refused to withdraw, removed its team name from jerseys to lower its profile, and is owned by Israeli-Canadian businessman Sylvan Adams.
• Authorities plan a 1,500-officer deployment for Sunday’s Madrid finale as Spain intensifies diplomatic pressure on Israel with an arms embargo, blocked fuel shipments, and public denunciations over Gaza’s toll.