"Pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Madrid have forced the abandonment of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race's final stage, with Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard declared the overall winner as police fought with protesters. Demonstrators blocked sections of the race route in the Spanish capital on Sunday, moving past metal barriers and stepping out onto the road. Police deployed in large numbers, but the race was abandoned."
"The protests have repeatedly targeted the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team, owned by Israeli-Canadian property developer Sylvan Adams, over Israel's war on Palestinians in Gaza. Adams, the president of the Israel region of the World Jewish Congress, is referred to by that organisation as committed to promoting Israel's global image. Demonstrations disrupted multiple stages in recent weeks, with some riders threatening to quit after blockades caused falls on the course."
"In Bilbao, stage 11 of the race was neutralised with no winner declared after protesters blocked the approach to the finish last week, while on Tuesday, hundreds of demonstrators forced stage 16 in Galicia to be shortened after confronting police near the route. More than 1,000 police officers were deployed on Sunday in Madrid to secure the finale of the 21-day race in Madrid, which had been scheduled to finish at 7pm (17:00 GMT)."
Pro-Palestine demonstrators forced the abandonment of the Vuelta a España final stage in Madrid after blocking the route and clashing with police. Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard was declared overall winner after organisers confirmed suspension of the event and the race was called off. Protests repeatedly targeted the Israel-Premier Tech team, owned by Israeli-Canadian Sylvan Adams, over Israel's war on Palestinians in Gaza, drawing widespread criticism in Spain. Demonstrations disrupted multiple stages in recent weeks, including a neutralised stage in Bilbao and a shortened stage in Galicia. More than 1,000 police were deployed amid safety concerns and rider complaints.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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