Vuelta 2025: Protests slow down cycling tour, 22 officials injured!

Vuelta 2025: Protests slow down cycling tour, 22 officials injured!

This year, the Spanish Vuelta, one of the most renowned cycling races in Europe, was not only the scene of top sporting achievements, but also of a simmering political conflict. The prestigious tour ended in Madrid at the weekend, but the final stages were overshadowed by massive protests and serious conflict. The organizers of the Vuelta expressed their regret at the abrupt termination of the final stage, which was necessary on Sunday due to a large demonstration against the Israeli military operation in Gaza. According to radiowuppertal.de, the Spanish Interior Ministry estimated the number of participants at around 100,000, who raised their voices peacefully but firmly.

It became a challenge for the police: 1,500 officers were mobilized to combat the protests. This massive presence was necessary because the 11th stage of the Vuelta in Bilbao had to be stopped early when demonstrators occupied the route. Despite the tension, there were clashes, the police reported only two arrests and 22 slightly injured officers. The central government stressed that the protests were largely peaceful, while Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida blamed Pedro Sánchez's government for the violence.

Protests and security concerns

The Vuelta has become not only a sporting event, but also a political statement, as it came into focus due to the participation of the Israeli team Israel-Premier Tech. Critics called for the team to be excluded, and there were numerous protests during the race. These were not always effectively controlled by the organizers. During the 11th stage in Bilbao, the stewards had to abandon the finish altogether when demonstrators again invaded the street with Palestinian flags. The course spokesman and the organizers ultimately gave up the race in order to avoid further escalations, as taz.de reported.

Overall, it shows that the Spanish Vuelta was much more than just a cycling race. The protests weren't just limited to the Vuelta; The commitment to the Palestinians is noticeable throughout Spain. One analyst noted that public opinion has changed dramatically: a poll found that over 82% of Spaniards believe Israel is committing genocide, a dramatic increase from last year. The response is unmistakable, and politicians from different camps express different opinions about the protests, with the opposition sometimes taking an ambivalent stance. irishtimes.com highlights that Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares also spoke out in favor of expelling the Israeli team, which further inflamed tensions.

The Vuelta will go down in history, not only for its sporting achievements, but also as a symbol of the mixing of sport and politics. It will be exciting to see how the situation surrounding the competition develops in the coming years, especially if the protests continue.