Vuelta a España Final Stage Shortened: Palestine Protest Fears
- Organizers of the Vuelta a España have shortened the 21st and final stage of the race by eight kilometers (five miles) on Saturday, September 13, 2024, in anticipation...
- The protests, specifically targeting the Israel Premier Tech team, have been ongoing throughout the Vuelta, leading to stage modifications and concerns about the competitive integrity of the...
- The section removed from the route would have taken the race through the Aravaca neighborhood of Madrid, approximately 9km from the city center, though organizers did not publicly...
Vuelta a España Route Shortened Ahead of Madrid Finale Due to Protests
Pro-Palestinian Protests Impact Race Route
Organizers of the Vuelta a España have shortened the 21st and final stage of the race by eight kilometers (five miles) on Saturday, September 13, 2024, in anticipation of large pro-Palestinian protests during the Madrid finale.
The protests, specifically targeting the Israel Premier Tech team, have been ongoing throughout the Vuelta, leading to stage modifications and concerns about the competitive integrity of the race. According to reports, riders will now cover 103.6km between Alalpardo and Madrid, rather of the originally planned 111.6km.
Security Increased for Final Stage
The section removed from the route would have taken the race through the Aravaca neighborhood of Madrid, approximately 9km from the city center, though organizers did not publicly state a specific reason for the change. Madrid officials have substantially increased security measures for the final stage, with the first deputy mayor announcing that policing numbers would be “almost doubled.”
The central government’s depiction in Madrid confirmed “unusual” reinforcements to ensure rider safety, deploying over 1,500 additional municipal and national police officers. Protests have escalated during the three-week race, including instances of protesters running onto the course and causing crashes.