"Jonas Vingegaard expresses doubts about potential stage victories in Vuelta a Espana, following protests supporting Palestine that have disrupted the race"
In an unexpected turn of events, Stage 11 of the Vuelta a España was halted three kilometers from the finish line due to pro-Palestine protests. The race resumed after the disruption, with riders going through their usual post-stage routine.
Jonas Vingegaard, the current leader of the Vuelta, expressed his disappointment about the protests, stating, "The race is the wrong place for them to protest." Vingegaard also praised the efforts of the police in controlling the roadside protests during the stage.
The sports director of the Israeli cycling team, Israel-Premier Tech, Óscar Guerrero, spoke after the protests at the 2025 Vuelta a España. Guerrero's team bus was surrounded by approximately 15 armed police officers with riot shields.
Tom Pidcock, another contender, had a close call during the stage when he had to duck under a banner as protestors ran into the road. Despite this, Pidcock briefly managed to drop Vingegaard on the Alto de Pike, the last of seven climbs. However, Vingegaard and Visma-Lease a Bike kept the break of the day under control during the race.
The communication from the race organizers was reportedly clear and timely. The news of the stage being partly cancelled came through on the race radio. Sports director Jesper Morkov of Vingegaard's team had mixed feelings about the situation, as they wanted to win the stage but couldn't due to the protests.
Jonas Vingegaard speculated that there might not be a stage winner in this Vuelta due to the protests. Despite the disruptions, Vingegaard maintained his lead in the race. The most recent partial suspension of a stage in the Vuelta was in 2023 due to bad weather.
The race continued, with riders going through their usual post-stage routine after the surreal situation. The failure to reach the finish line is a rare event in the Vuelta, with a precedent set in San Sebastian in 1978 due to political protests.
In the final three kilometers, Vingegaard and Pidcock eased up, where times were taken for the GC contenders. The riders and teams handled the situation professionally, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability that is a hallmark of the Vuelta a España.
