Vingegaard secures Vuelta a Espana title as race stopped by Madrid protests

MADRID : Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard won the Vuelta a Espana on Sunday but was denied crossing the line in triumph as the 21st and final stage of the trouble-hit three-week race was abandoned when pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the finish in Madrid.

The Visma-Lease a Bike rider effectively wrapped up victory in the year's last Grand Tour victory after winning Saturday's mountain stage to stretch his lead over Portugal's Joao Almeida to one minute and 16 seconds.

Sunday's ride from Alalpardo into the capital was always going to be little more than a procession for the peloton but with riders already in Madrid and approaching the city circuit they were halted at around 6.20 p.m with 60 km remaining.

Vingegaard was seen shaking hands with teammates as confusion reigned, before it was confirmed that the race would not reach its scheduled finish.

"For security reasons, stage 21 of La Vuelta has been ended early. There will be no podium ceremony," organisers said, as thousands of protesters filled downtown Madrid. "The race has been officially ended and Jonas Vingegaard is the winner."

It is the first time one of cycling's Grand Tours has been prevented from completing its final stage by political demonstrators since the Vuelta in 1978 was halted by Basque separatists in San Sebastian.

While the race will be remembered as one of the most volatile in the Vuelta's history, with protests causing chaos since stage five, it was a landmark one for Vingegaard.

It was his third Grand Tour victory, after the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023.

He is also the first Danish winner of the Spanish race.

VINGEGAARD FULFILS FAVOURITE TAG

Almeida (UAE Team Emirates XRG) was second with Britain's Tom Pidcock third - his first podium finish in a Grand