Vuelta final stage abandoned amid huge pro-Palestinian protest

The final stage of the Vuelta a Espana was abandoned on Sunday because of huge pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid.

Thousands of protestors gathered in the Spanish capital, invading the course where the race was due to pass in the center of Madrid.

On Gran Via, where cyclists were due to pass multiple times, protestors knocked down barriers and marched into the road, some chanting for a boycott of Israel as green and red smoke filled the air.

Near Atocha, Madrid’s central train station, police charged demonstrators and fired tear gas, before letting them walk into the road.

Riders, around 56 kilometers from the finish of the race, came to a halt before the Vuelta was abandoned.

Various stages of the Vuelta had been shortened because of protests, largely against the Israel-Premier Tech team’s participation.

The protests have also led to moments of tension in the three-week grand tour, including crashes.