Spanish Vuelta cut short by protests; Jonas Vingegaard wins - ESPN

MADRID — Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted the final stage of the Spanish Vuelta and forced organizers to cut the race short on Sunday, capping a campaign of disruptions to the Grand Tour cycling event.

Visma-Lease a Bike rider Jonas Vingegaard was confirmed as the overall winner of the three-week race.

There were clashes between police and protesters near the route finale in Madrid. Some protesters carrying anti-Israel banners partly blocked the road and forced riders to stop.

There was no stage winner and the podium ceremony was called off because of security concerns. Organizers said the final stage «ended early to ensure the safety of the riders.»

«Due to the protests in Madrid, the race ended earlier than planned and there will be no podium ceremony,» race officials said.

There were about 50 kilometers (31 miles) left on the 21st stage that was a mostly ceremonial ride into Madrid.

Vingegaard had extended his overall lead over João Almeida on Saturday with a lead of 1 minute, 16 seconds over Almeida.

It was Vingegaard's third Grand Tour title, adding to his pair of Tour de France titles won in 2022 and 2023.

The protesters threw barriers onto the road on a finishing circuit in the Spanish capital. Riders had been expected to do nine laps, but several hundred protesters stayed on the road where the race was supposed to pass by while anti-Israel banners were also hung from nearby buildings.

The race had resumed briefly Sunday after riders were originally told by race organizers to stop because of the protests, but they eventually had to stop again as authorities and organizers discussed the situation.

Police escorted the riders as they left the track.

Police in riot gear had confronted protesters at different