BILBAO, Spain: The 11th stage of the Spanish Vuelta was cut short and finished without a winner because of a disruption by pro-Palestinian protesters near the finish line in the Basque Country city of Bilbao on Wednesday.
The protesters appeared to be targeting riders from the Israel Premier Tech team. Some attempted to invade the road when the riders of the Israeli team crossed in front of them, prompting organizers and security staff to rush in to try to contain them behind the security fences.
Police were called in to contain the protesters, many of whom carried Palestine flags and pro-Palestine signs.
Race officials made an announcement to the teams as the riders had about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to go in the 157.4-kilometer (98-mile) stage that also started in Bilbao.
“Due to some incidents at the finish line, we have decided to take the time at 3 kilometers before the line. We won’t have a stage winner. We will give the points for the mountain classification and the intermediate sprint, but not on the finish line,” they said.
The start of the stage also had been disrupted by protesters who forced race officials to pause the peloton for a few minutes.
The police appeared to have the crowd under control by the finish, forming a line to keep the protesters from going over the security fences, but officials decided it was safer to keep riders from reaching that point.
At the Tour de France in July, a man protesting the participation of Israel Premier Tech ran onto the course as the leaders raced for the finish line. A security guard ran out and apprehended the man. The team had previously faced protests because of its association with Israel, which has killed 63,633 Palestinians since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The war was sparked by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed some 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023.
Vingegaard disappointed
Overall Spanish Vuelta leader Jonas Vingegaard, of team Visma-Lease a Bike, said it was disappointing not to be able to finish the stage.
“It’s a big shame, we really would have loved to win the stage,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to a strong finish by his team on the day of his son’s birthday.
Tom Pidcock, a British rider from team Q36.5 Pro Cycling, had been ahead during the final parts of the stage.
“It’s hard to describe the disappointment, to be honest,” he said. “I felt like today was my day. I had a good chance to win.”
Pidcock continued through the finish line despite the decision to cut the stage short.
Thursday’s 12th stage will take riders on a 145-kilometer (90-mile) route with mid-size mountains.
Spanish Vuelta stage cut short because of disruption by pro-Palestinian protesters near finish line
https://arab.news/4bhuk
Spanish Vuelta stage cut short because of disruption by pro-Palestinian protesters near finish line
- The protesters appeared to be targeting riders from the Israel Premier Tech team
- Some attempted to invade the road when the riders of the Israeli team crossed in front of them, prompting organizers and security staff to rush in to try to contain them behind the security fences
Morocco look to youth and experience to prove Qatar World Cup success was no fluke
- “Qatar was not a miracle,” Regragui told Moroccan state television
- “It was the fruit of a long-term plan. At 2026, we want to go further. We have the talent, the mentality and the experience“
RABAT: Morocco head into Friday’s FIFA World Cup draw in Washington brimming with confidence, determined to build on their trailblazing run to the semifinals in Qatar 2022 and prove their rise is no accident.
The Atlas Lions stunned the world three years ago, becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the last four of a World Cup after eliminating Spain and Portugal before falling to France.
Coach Walid Regragui, who masterminded that historic feat, said the challenge now was to sustain success. “Qatar was not a miracle,” Regragui told Moroccan state television. “It was the fruit of a long-term plan. At 2026, we want to go further. We have the talent, the mentality and the experience.”
Morocco’s ambitions rest on two pillars: a thriving youth system and a squad stacked with international stars. Achraf Hakimi, a Champions League regular with Paris Saint-Germain, headlines a group that includes Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat and Youssef En-Nesyri — all playing at the highest level in Europe.
Rising talents such as Abde Ezzalzouli and Bilal El Khannouss add depth and dynamism.
Morocco’s youth program has delivered unprecedented success. Coach Mohamed Wahbi guided his team to a historic FIFA Under-20 World Cup triumph in October, when they beat Argentina 2-0 in the final to become the first Arab nation to lift the trophy.
The under-17 side reached the quarter-finals of their World Cup, while the under-23 team claimed the Africa Cup of Nations and secured a place at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where they went on to win bronze.
“The pressure is already there – all of Morocco wants the Africa Cup,” Wahbi told Al Arabiya TV, referring to this month’s continental tournament on home soil. “Winning the youth World Cup won’t add pressure on Regragui, it will motivate him. Everyone sees Morocco today as a leader in African football, and that’s the result of a clear project.”
Morocco’s football vision aligns with its global ambitions. The kingdom will co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
“Hosting 2030 is a responsibility and an opportunity,” said Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. “But first, 2026 is about proving that Morocco belongs among the elite.”
