Madrid: Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard has secured victory in the 2025 Vuelta a España under extraordinary circumstances, as the race’s final stage into Madrid was abruptly halted and cancelled due to mass pro-Palestinian demonstrations that blocked the route. The chaotic scenes denied the champion the traditional procession and podium finish that usually mark the closing spectacle of one of cycling’s grandest tours.
The 21st stage, a ceremonial ride from Alalpardo into Spain’s capital, was brought to an end with about 60 kilometres remaining. Protesters had gathered along key sections of the route, particularly on Madrid’s Paseo de la Castellana, making it impossible for organisers to guarantee the riders’ safety or allow the stage to proceed. Race officials made the decision to stop the event entirely, with the podium ceremony also cancelled in what many described as a historic and deeply unusual conclusion to the three-week contest.
For Vingegaard, the moment was bittersweet. His dominance in the mountains, particularly his decisive victory at the Bola del Mundo summit on Stage 20, had already cemented his overall lead. He finished the race with a margin of one minute and sixteen seconds ahead of Portugal’s João Almeida, while Britain’s Tom Pidcock secured third place in what marked his first Grand Tour podium. Yet, the Danish star admitted disappointment at not being able to savour the moment of crossing the line in Madrid, calling it “a lost chance for a memory that would have lasted a lifetime.”
The truncated finale overshadowed what had been a landmark achievement. Vingegaard’s triumph is his third Grand Tour victory following back-to-back Tour de France wins in 2022 and 2023. With this title, he also becomes the first Danish rider ever to capture the Vuelta crown, further cementing his legacy as one of the most dominant riders of his generation.
This year’s Vuelta had already been marked by disruption. Several stages earlier in the race were shortened, delayed, or suspended altogether because of political demonstrations. Stage 5 was interrupted in Figueres, where protesters targeted the Israel-Premier Tech team. Stage 11 was halted just three kilometres from its planned conclusion, while Stage 16 and Stage 18 were also forced into significant route reductions. The recurring protests highlighted the intersection of global political tensions with the sporting arena, placing both riders and organisers in uncharted territory.
The decision to cancel the final stage altogether recalls the political turbulence of the late 1970s, when Basque separatist protests disrupted the 1978 edition of the Vuelta. For many, the 2025 edition will now be remembered not only for Vingegaard’s commanding performance but also for the extraordinary political context that overshadowed the race’s finale.
Despite the frustrations of the curtailed finish, organisers defended their decision, stating that public safety had to come before tradition. Riders, while disappointed, acknowledged that the volatile atmosphere in Madrid left few alternatives. For Vingegaard, though denied his moment in the spotlight, the statistics and the jersey remain, sealing his place in cycling history with another unforgettable victory.