CYCLING FRETS ABOUT SECURITY

La Vuelta protests expose safety fears, potential disruption of future events

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The cycling world was licking its wounds on Sept 15 and wondering “where next?” after a chaotic final day of the Vuelta a Espana which saw the concluding stage called off 50km from the capital Madrid and the winner crowned in a hotel carpark.

The three-week stage race, one of cycling’s three premier Grand Tours, faced multiple disruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters who were motivated by the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team.

A government spokesperson told AFP that 100,000 people had taken part in the final-stage protests, which followed other pro-Palestinian protests during the race.

The stage was stopped early, and winner Jonas Vingegaard had to make do with an improvised podium.

The activists exposed how vulnerable cycling races are to disruption, as the International Cycling Union (UCI) and race organisers discovered, given that these events cover vast distances on public roads with unrestricted spectator access.

Some fear for future races, notably the 2026 Tour de France, which begins with three stages on Spanish soil, starting in Barcelona.