Vingegaard crowned Vuelta champion as final stage abandoned

Jonas Vingegaard was crowned Vuelta a Espana champion but the final stage of the race on Sunday was abandoned due to pro-Palestinian protests, organizers said.

"For security reasons, stage 21 of La Vuelta has been ended early. There will be no podium ceremony," a statement on X said.

On their official website, Vuelta organizers said: "After three weeks of racing across Italian, French, Andorran, and Spanish roads, the peloton started the final stage from Alalpardo but was stopped upon reaching the Spanish capital, where the stage ended early to ensure the safety of the riders, and no podium ceremony was held."

According to media reports, demonstrators knocked down barriers and occupied the road at several points on the course in the centre of Madrid, including Gran Via, where cyclists were due to pass multiple times.

There were clashes with the police, who reportedly deployed 1,500 officers.

Denmark's Vingegaard had virtually clinched the title with victory in the penultimate stage on Saturday. Only a crash in Sunday's final stage could have stopped the twice Tour de France winner from winning the Vuelta for the first time.

He was joined on the overall podium by Portugal's João Almeida and Britain's Tom Pidcock.

The Vuelta has been marred by the demonstrations. One stage could not be completed and Thursday's time trial was cut short for security reasons. The three-week race on ends on Sunday in Madrid.

The protests target Israel's military action in Gaza, and there is also criticism on the presence of the Israel-Premier Tech team at the Vuelta. The team has dropped the writing Israel from its shirts and cars.