Vuelta boss condemns 'unacceptable' protests that derailed race finale
FILE PHOTO: Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy the route of the Vuelta a Espana after overturning metal barriers disrupting the final stage, which was cancelled by organisers, in Madrid, Spain September 14, 2025. REUTERS/Bruna Casas/ File Photo
MADRID : The head of Spain's premier cycling race delivered a stern rebuke on Monday to protesters who forced the abandonment of the Vuelta a Espana's final stage, calling the chaotic scenes "absolutely unacceptable."
Javier Guillen, the race's general manager, faced reporters a day after pro-Palestinian demonstrations targeting the Israel-Premier Tech team brought Sunday's finale to a grinding halt just three kilometres from the finish line in Madrid.
Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard was declared the winner after the stage was abandoned but Guillen was disappointed.
"I want to express my regret, but especially condemn what happened in the last stage of the Vuelta a Espana," Guillen said at his press conference in the Spanish capital.
"The images speak for themselves. I believe that everything that happened is absolutely unacceptable."
The protests, which the demonstrators said was sparked by Israel's actions in Gaza, saw them chanting "they will not pass" as they overturned metal barriers and occupied the race route.
Two people were arrested and 22 police officers injured, according to the Spanish government.
Guillen insisted race organisers had tried to accommodate peaceful demonstrations throughout the three-week tour, but the safety of the cyclists ultimately forced their hand.
"What happened was that, about three kilometres from the finish line, there was another invasion of the road in which riders fell to the ground," he explained.
"We were now talking about not only the impossibility of completing the stage normally, but also the fact that the safety of the cyclists was clearly in danger."
VUELTA GUIDED BY UCI REGULATIONS
The race director repeatedly deflected questions about whether the Israel-Premier Tech team, which is not funded by Israel, should have taken part in the race, saying organisers simply followed International Cycling Union (UCI) regulations.
"We have never wanted to enter into any debate. We have always been focused and concentrated on what we had to do: to get the race going," Guillen said.
"The position of the tour is clear, we have explained it and we have said it; we are guided by the regulations of the International Cycling Union.
"It's the International Cycling Union that's responsible for the regulatory framework that we follow. We have made this clear, everyone has heard it, and here the rules of participation are set by the International Cycling Union.
"It's responsible for regulating the right of admission to races; it's responsible for establishing the right or penalty of exclusion from races, and at all times we have adhered to the principle of legality, that is, we have been guided by who has the decision to adopt or not adopt the rules of participation for teams."
SPANISH PRIME MINISTER'S COMMENTS CRITICISED
At a political rally on Sunday, before the cycling protest, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed "admiration for the Spanish people mobilising for just causes like Palestine" by protesting during the race.
His comments were criticised by Spanish conservative politicians and Israel's foreign minister.
Reacting to Sunday's events, Sanchez on Monday said that, despite condemning the violent protests by pro-Palestinians, he believed Israel and Russia should be banned from international sports competitions until the wars in Gaza and Ukraine end.
Dana Erlich, Israel's charge d'affaires in Spain, criticised the protests.
"Hatred has succeeded in silencing the spirit of sport, forgetting the essential purpose of these competitions: to build bridges, unite cultures and celebrate the power of unity.
"In these terms, this is not legitimate criticism. This has nothing to do with politics; it has been an act of violence and intimidation. We urge public representatives to condemn violence and reject this type of coercion and finger-pointing."
