"Jonas Vingegaard expresses pessimism about the Vuelta a España's stage winner, citing the impact of pro-Palestine protests that have disrupted the race"
In an unprecedented turn of events, the 11th stage of the Vuelta a España 2025 was marred by pro-Palestinian protests, resulting in a chaotic scene that forced the race to be prematurely ended three kilometers before the finish line.
The Israel-Premier Tech team, who were aiming for a victory, had to acknowledge the situation on TV and adjust their strategy accordingly. Protesters, demonstrating against Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, targeted the cycling team, causing disruption on the road and making racing for the win an impossible task.
The race organisation provided clear communication to the teams and riders about the situation, but the chaos was too much to overcome. The news of the stage being partly cancelled came through on the race radio before the final ascent to the Alto de Pike.
Despite the disruption, there were some exciting moments during the stage. Tom Pidcock, riding for Israel-Premier Tech, managed to briefly drop Jonas Vingegaard, the leader of the Vuelta a España, on the Alto de Pike, the last of seven climbs. However, Vingegaard and Pidcock eased up three kilometers from the finish line, where times were taken for the GC contenders.
Visma-Lease a Bike, led by Vingegaard, kept the break of the day under control during the stage. Marc Soler, from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, was part of the breakaway.
Jonas Vingegaard expressed his displeasure at the race being targeted by protesters, but praised the police for their efforts to control the situation. Jesper Morkov, sports director of Israel-Premier Tech, described the atmosphere as mixed due to the protests disrupting the race.
This is not the first time a stage in the Vuelta has been affected by unforeseen circumstances. In 1978, a stage in San Sebastian was also not completed due to a rare event. The most recent partial suspension of a stage in the Vuelta was in 2023 due to bad weather.
The premature ending of Stage 11 in Bilbao left no stage winner, a rare occurrence in the Vuelta. Directors and riders were surrounded by approximately 15 armed police during the press conference, reflecting the heightened security measures needed to ensure everyone's safety.
As the race continues, the riders and teams will undoubtedly be hoping for a smoother and more predictable course ahead. The next stage promises to be an exciting one, as the contenders fight for the coveted leader's jersey.
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