The race was neutralized, no awards were given, and political controversy erupted between the mayor of Madrid and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The final stage of the Vuelta, Spain's most important cycling race, was interrupted by a pro-Palestine protest that escalated into a clash between demonstrators and police.

The heart of the tension was the Paseo del Prado: some protesters threw objects at the police and dragged barriers into the middle of the street. In response, the officers threw numerous smoke bombs and repeatedly charged the protesters. Similar scenes had already been seen during previous stages of the Spanish tour. But on the final stage, things went even worse.

The decision to interrupt the race was made around halfway when protesters invaded the route on Madrid's Gran Via, the final stage after the start from Alalpardo, overturning the barriers of the circuit. The protest also disrupted the awards ceremony, with winner Jonas Vingegaard not receiving his award in public.

Not only that. A bitter political controversy has also erupted, with the mayor of Madrid attacking Sanchez:"Violence has triumphed over sport, and I hold the prime minister responsible," said José Luis Martínez-Almeida of the Popular Party."Madrid has been overwhelmed by violence. They managed to interrupt the final stage of the Vuelta de España and paint a shameful picture of our country," the mayor argued. Today, during an event in Malaga, Sanchez expressed admiration for those demonstrating for Palestine.