Vingegaard wins Vuelta a España. Pro-Palestinian protests halt final stage

Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard won the Vuelta a España on Sunday, but was unable to cross the finish line in triumph. The 21st and final stage of the three-week race, which was overshadowed by incidents, was abandoned after pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the finish line in Madrid.

The Visma–Lease a Bike rider had already virtually secured overall victory on Saturday with his win on the mountain stage, extending his lead over Portugal's João Almeida to one minute and 16 seconds.

The final stage from Alalpardo to the Spanish capital was little more than a procession of the peloton. But when the riders had already arrived in Madrid, the race was stopped at around 6:20 p.m. Vingegaard was seen on television shaking hands with his teammates while confusion reigned. Shortly afterwards, the organizers confirmed that the stage would not be completed.

“For safety reasons, the 21st stage of the Vuelta has been ended prematurely. There will be no podium ceremony,” they said, as thousands of protesters filled Madrid's city center.

The race has been officially ended – Jonas Vingegaard is the winner. It is his third Grand Tour victory after the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023 and the first Vuelta triumph for a Dane.

(reuters, est)