Spain’s most prestigious cycling race, La Vuelta, was brought to an abrupt halt in its final stage as thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters overwhelmed police and blocked the route.
The unprecedented cancellation came after three weeks of mounting demonstrations against the inclusion of the Israel-Premier Tech team.
Throughout the race, activists repeatedly disrupted stages, forcing cyclists off their bikes and raising safety concerns.
Despite deploying 1,500 police officers for the final leg, organisers were unable to secure the course.
The protests garnered significant attention, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez praising the public for “standing up for just causes”.
The race’s premature end and cancelled medal ceremony marked a victory for demonstrators, who viewed the event as a platform to voice opposition to Israel’s actions in Palestine.
This year’s La Vuelta will be remembered not for its sporting achievements, but for how a conflict thousands of kilometres away reshaped its 90-year history.
Al Jazeera’s Perry Wilton reports.
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