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Pro-Palestinian protest forces Vuelta stage to be shortened / Photo: ANDER GILLENEA - AFP
Pro-Palestinian protest forces Vuelta stage to be shortened
The 11th stage of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race was shortened on Wednesday as dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated at the finish line, organisers said.
"Due to some incidents at the finish line, we have decided to take the time at 3 kilometres before the line," the organisers of the Vuelta, cycling's third most-important Grand Tour, said.
Demonstrators holding Palestinian flags appeared to be attempting to push barriers into the road to disrupt the event at the finish line.
This year's Vuelta has been targeted on a daily basis by protesters, who have focused their attention on the Israel-Premier Tech team.
Riders met for a safety meeting before Wednesday's stage following an incident on Tuesday when Pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to run into the road ahead of the peloton.
Italian rider Simone Petilli fell as a result of the incident.
"I understand that the situation is not good, but yesterday I fell because of a demonstration on the road," Petilli wrote on social media.
"Please, we are just cyclists doing our job, and if this continues, our safety is no longer guaranteed. We feel in danger. We just want to race!"
During the fifth stage of the race last week protesters succeeded in slowing down the Israel-Premier Tech riders.
(O.Robinson--TAG)
