Protests Force Early End To Vuelta A Espana Stage

There was nary victor connected shape 11 of nan Vuelta a Espana arsenic title organisers ended Wednesday's racing 3 kilometres earlier nan decorativeness statement because of pro-Palestinian protesters.

The announcement astir nan early decorativeness connected what was expected to beryllium a 157.4km shape successful Bilbao came pinch astir 20 kilometres to go.

"Due to immoderate incidents astatine nan decorativeness line, we person decided to return nan clip astatine 3 kilometres earlier nan line," said nan title head connected Radio Vuelta.

"We won't person a shape winner. We will springiness nan points for nan upland classification and nan intermediate sprint, but not connected nan decorativeness line."

Great Britain's Tom Pidcock and wide leader Jonas Vingegaard were astatine nan beforehand erstwhile nan shape was ended.

Pidcock made a move connected nan last climb and Vingegaard was nan only rider capable to spell pinch him.

"It is difficult to picture nan disappointment to beryllium honest. I felt for illustration coming was my day," said Pidcock.

Vingegaard said: "It's my son's day - he's 1 twelvemonth aged coming truthful I wanted to triumph for him.

"We worked each time for it and to not get nan chance is evidently a large shame."

Prior to shape 11, riders had met for a information meeting, while nan Professional Cyclists' Association had called for amended information astatine an arena astatine which nan Israel-Premier Tech squad person been targeted.

On shape five, nan Israel-Premier Tech squad were held up by protestors holding pro-Palestinian flags and banners.

Italian rider Simone Petilli besides fell connected shape 10 erstwhile protestors ran connected to nan road.

"I understand that is not a bully situation, but yesterday I collapsed because of a protestation connected nan road," wrote Petilli connected societal media.

"Please, we are conscionable cyclists and we are doing our job, but if it will proceed for illustration this our information is not guaranteed immoderate more, and we consciousness successful danger! We conscionable want to race."

Following shape 11, Pidcock said: "Putting america successful threat isn't going to thief your cause."

Israel's subject launched a run successful Gaza successful consequence to nan Hamas-led onslaught connected confederate Israel connected 7 October 2023, successful which astir 1,200 group were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

At slightest 63,633 group person been killed successful Gaza since then, according to nan territory's wellness ministry.

Stage 12 of 21 connected Thursday is scheduled to return spot complete 144.9km from Laredo to Los Corrales de Buelna.