In an unprecedented and chaotic conclusion to a Grand Tour, the final stage of the Vuelta a España was thrown into disarray and ultimately cancelled without a winner after pro-Palestine protesters stormed the course in Bilbao.
The processional Stage 21, traditionally a celebratory ride for the red jersey winner, was first neutralised by race organisers and then declared over just 18km from the finish line after it became impossible to safely continue. The dramatic decision meant the stage was scrubbed from the record books, with no winner officially declared.
Chaos on the Circuit as Protesters Bring Race to a Halt
The incident unfolded on the final 5.9km circuit in the city centre. A large group of demonstrators, waving flags and holding banners, managed to break through security barriers and sit down on the road directly in the path of the peloton. With the route completely blocked, the race was forced to stop entirely as police and security rushed to clear the area.
Television footage captured the surreal scene of the world's top cyclists, including overall winner Sepp Kuss and stage winner Remco Evenepoel, standing idle on their bikes, confusion etched on their faces, as the protest played out just metres ahead.
Unprecedented Decision to Cancel Final Stage
Faced with significant security concerns and major disruptions to the race itinerary, organisers Unipublic were left with little choice. After a lengthy delay, they made the extraordinary call to neutralise the race times and end the stage prematurely.
The official race communique confirmed the cancellation, stating the stage result would not count towards any classification. The final general classification thus reverted to the standings at the start of the day, cementing American Sepp Kuss's historic first Grand Tour victory.
Kuss's Victory Celebration Overshadowed by Unruly Scenes
While the overall victory for Jumbo-Visma's Sepp Kuss remained secure, the bizarre ending robbed the team and the rider of their traditional victory lap and final sprint finish. The celebratory atmosphere that defines the final stage of a three-week tour was replaced by uncertainty and anti-climax.
The incident in Bilbao marks one of the most significant and disruptive protests in modern cycling history, raising serious questions about event security for future major races held in urban environments.
