"Thumbtacks and glass" - Madrid mayor in shock over violence in the streets due to La Vuelta

The Vuelta a Espana has come to a close and instead of a bunch sprint, celebrations and a podium to end the race, the riders instead finished it in a random road just outside the city after being told to stop. The city has not hosted the race after thousands of protestors broke through to the road and instilled chaos, something which has turned into a very sensitive political situation in the country, with leaders of political parties taking sides in the actions that have been taking place.

At the finish, the mayor of the city of Madrid José Luis Martínez-Almeida talked to Marca regarding the situation, adding more details that had not been caught by the TV broadcast. "This is one of the saddest afternoons I can remember in Madrid. Because of the violence of these people, the riders had to stop racing."

After this had happened in other stages, Martínez-Almeida reveals that once again protestors used thumbtacks and glass on the roads of Madrid. In the end this didn't end up affecting the riders, who would never get to reach the city center, as the protestors broke through the barriers right before the riders reached it. It had been completely impossible to contain the chaos that had gathered, and riders were told the race had ended, with it being unclear what was to follow. Shortly after, the race organization confirmed there would be no podium celebrations. Most likely, riders went straight to the team hotels.

"They had thumbtacks and glass. They are violent and encouraged by statements from others, including the Spanish prime minister," Martínez-Almeida continued, in striking words against Pedro Sánchez. "I never thought we would have to cancel a stage, although we were prepared for such protests. I want to thank Javier Guillén (Vuelta director, ed.) and all the security services for what they did."