Race organisers confirm that Vuelta a España has to stop before finish of stage 21 because of protests

Riders were initially stopped a few kilometres from the finishing 6.2-kilometre circuit, and after a few more kilometres of riding together once again, they were stopped definitively.

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TV images of barricades lying across the roads showed race barriers scattered all over the road and protestors marching triumphantly down the centre of the finishing circuit.

The 103-kilometre stage 21 from Alopardo to Madrid had started as usual, with typical rounds of congratulations between teams and photos of different riders the front of the peloton, but initially no blockades.

However, the race was already diverted around two outlying towns, San Sebastian de los Reyes and Alcobendas, because of demonstrations in the centres.

The situation at the finish line on Paseo de la Castellana was far more serious, however with protesters chanting and shouting, as well as breaking through barricades.

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Riders already began climbing into team cars and heading away from the race. “It’s obvious,” TVE commentators said, “that they can’t get to the centre of the city.”