Spain’s famed Vuelta cycling race fails to declare stage 11 winner after protesters disrupt finish line

Stage 11 of the Vuelta a España was neutralized without a winner declared after pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the finish line in Bilbao, Spain, leading to safety concerns and rider disappointment. The Vuelta a España, one of cycling’s grand tours, faced unprecedented disruption on stage 11 as pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at the finish line in Bilbao. Race organizers made the decision to neutralize the stage, meaning no winner would be declared, and times for the general classification would be taken at the three-kilometer mark instead of the actual finish. This move was prompted by safety concerns after hundreds of demonstrators, waving Palestinian flags, attempted to block the road and interfere with the race. Earlier in the stage, the peloton had already encountered protesters during the neutral zone, requiring police intervention to clear the path. Television footage showed a tense standoff between law enforcement and the crowd near the finish line, with banners stretched across the road. The disruption occurred despite prior meetings between riders, organizers, and the UCI to address safety issues following similar incidents in previous stages. Key riders affected included race leader Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike and Britain’s Tom Pidcock from Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, who had broken away and were leading the race when the neutralization was announced. Both expressed deep disappointment, with Vingegaard noting it was his son’s first birthday and he had hoped to win the stage for him. Pidcock criticized the protesters, stating that endangering riders does not advance their cause. This is not the first time protests have marred this year’s Vuelta. During stage 5’s team time trial, Israel-Premier Tech was specifically targeted and halted by demonstrators, and on stage 10, a protester caused a crash by stepping into the road. The Israel-Premier Tech team has been a focal point due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with some groups calling for their exclusion from the race. Rider representatives, including Elia Viviani of the CPA, had emphasized that the race could continue if protests remained peaceful, but the incidents on stage 11 crossed that line. The Professional Cyclists’ Association had previously called for enhanced security measures to protect competitors from such disruptions. The neutralization of stage 11 raises questions about the future of the race and the balance between safety and the right to protest. Organizers are under pressure to ensure that the remaining stages proceed without incident, possibly involving increased police presence or route changes. Looking ahead, the Vuelta continues with stage 12, and all eyes will be on whether further protests occur and how authorities respond. The incident highlights the growing intersection of sports and political activism, with potential implications for other international events.