After previous pro-Palestinian protests, more than 400 additional civil guards will attend the final two phases of the Grand Tour.
Released on September 10th, 2025
Spanish authorities said that “extraordinary” security boosts accompany the final two stages of Vuelta in the Madrid region, and Palestinian protests are shaking one of the grand cycling tours.
The demonstration, which targeted Israeli-based technical teams in the devastating war in Gaza, affected several stages of race over the 21 day, raising questions about the organizers’ ability to see it until its completion.
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A central government representative in Madrid said in a statement Wednesday that more than 400 additional citizens will protect the penultimate stage on Saturday, with 1,100 police officers rolling out in the finale on Sunday.
“Extraordinary developments” will be the police’s biggest security effort since Madrid hosted the 2022 NATO summit, the statement added.
“With this enhancement, the aim is to make the development and legitimate rights to protest in Madrid’s two stages compatible,” the authorities said.
The race organizers denied measuring whether to cancel the final stage, but suggested that Israeli-based technology would withdraw for the safety of other teams.
Protesters rushed onto the course and caused a crash, but last week’s Stage 11 was neutralised before the finish in Bilbao, with no winner being declared as protesters disrupt their break-in.
On Tuesday, hundreds of protesters faced police blocking the road near the finish, shortening stage 16 in Galicia’s northwestern region.
Riders say they will neutralize Stage 17 on Wednesday if further protests disrupt the competition.
“We tried to neutralize race if there was an incident and that was what it was,” Australia’s Jack Hague told reporters. “In the end, racing to the undefined finish line is not a truly fair sport,” added the Bahrain winner rider.
The Israeli Pumier technology, owned by Israeli-Canadian real estate developer Sylvan Adams, is private clothing rather than national teams, but was welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who continued to compete despite fierce protests.
The Palestinian cause enjoys extensive support in Spain. In Spain, relations with Israel are even worse this week, Madrid will remember the Tel Aviv ambassador and ban the two far-right Israeli government ministers.
