The Spanish authorities will deploy 1,100 officers and 400 members of the Guardia Civil this weekend in Madrid to ensure the safety of riders in the Vuelta a España amid ongoing protests against the participation of Israel–Premier Tech in the race.
The Governmental Delegation in Madrid announced the "extraordinary" reinforcement in a statement, which was agreed upon yesterday, according to AS.
Saturday’s stage 20 from Robledo de Chavela to Alto de la Bola del Mundo takes on the mountains near Madrid, and will see 400 civil guards mobilised.
On Sunday, the final stage of this year’s race from Alalpardo to Madrid will be secured by 1,100 national police officers, in what is the largest mobilisation of police since the 2022 NATO summit in Madrid.
According to AS, the Delegation emphasised the right to protest is a fundamental right that cannot be limited, and therefore the right to peaceful demonstration will be guaranteed throughout stages 20 and 21.
The police and Guardia Civil make up the police forces for the stages throughout La Vuelta, except for those in the Basque Country and Catalonia, where security is provided by local police.
The regular security operation for this year’s La Vuelta has consisted of 132 civil guards and more than 70 national police officers.
Protestors have been demonstrating at the race against the participation of Israel–Premier Tech, which is co-owned by Canadian–Israeli businessman Sylvan Adams, who is a vocal supporter of the state of Israel.
Stephanie Adam, a campaigner for the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, which called for the protests, described the team’s participation at the race as “sportswashing pure and simple”.
Many riders have voiced concern for their safety at the race and there have been several crashes due to protests.
Yesterday, the riders' union voted to neutralise stage 17 if there were protests and race organisers have shortened today’s individual time trial due to planned protests.
