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Vuelta Stage Cut Short by Pro‑Palestine Blockade as Race Presses On to Madrid

Police plan an expanded Madrid operation following riders' call for neutralizations.

Overview

  • Stage 16 was stopped 8 kilometers from the planned finish due to a road blockade, with Egan Bernal declared the winner and official times taken at that point in the second neutralized finish of this Vuelta.
  • Protesters targeting Israel–Premier Tech blocked the route near San Cosme, with reports of a felled tree and tacks causing punctures as police intervened and conducted identifications.
  • Race director Javier Guillén reiterated that the event will continue to Madrid, emphasized organizers cannot exclude the Israel‑linked team under current rules, and said there is no plan B.
  • After consulting the CPA, the peloton signaled it wants stages neutralized when incidents threaten safety, as riders voiced concern over escalating risks on open roads.
  • Government sports and interior bodies convened security meetings and authorities are scaling up deployments for the Valladolid time trial, mountain finishes and the Madrid finale.