The final stage of the Vuelta a Espana was abandoned on Sunday because of huge pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid.⁣ Thousands of protestors gathered in the Spanish capital, invading the course where the race was due to pass in the center of Madrid.⁣ On Gran Via, where cyclists were due to pass multiple times, protesters knocked down barriers and marched into the road, some chanting for a boycott of Israel as green and red smoke filled the air.⁣ Near Atocha, Madrid's central train station, police charged demonstrators and fired tear gas, before letting them walk into the road.⁣ Riders, around 56km from the finish of the race, came to a halt before the Vuelta was abandoned.⁣ Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said before racing began on Sunday that the protests have filled him with "pride".⁣ #vuelta #spain #bikes #protests