"Uneventful Time Trial Stage of Vuelta a Espana: Enhanced security ensures smooth and incident-free race completion"
In the heart of Valladolid, the 18th stage of the Vuelta a España 2025 was a spectacle marked by both intense security measures and ongoing protests.
Over 450 police officers were drafted in for the shortened time trial, while the organization decisively engaged local police forces to deploy 917 officers in Valladolid for this stage. The increased security was a response to the protests, as the organizers chose to shorten the time trial to ensure tighter security.
The time trial route was almost completely barricaded off in anticipation of possible disturbances. A special police escort guided Israel-Premier Tech to the time trial location after their vehicles were vandalized overnight with tomatoes and paint.
Despite the disruptions, the stage passed off mostly peacefully, with only two demonstrators being arrested. Pro-Palestine supporters were able to move around with their flags freely during the time trial.
The ongoing protests in Spain are due to the dire situation in Gaza, where at least 64,000 people have been killed by Israeli attacks according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Some spectators combined both supporting the protests and watching the race, while others chose to focus solely on the competition.
Tom Pidcock, a podium contender, tried to block out the disruptions and focus on the race. UAE Team Emirates-XRG team manager Joxean Fernández Matxin acknowledged João Almeida's disadvantage due to the time trial being shortened but praised the safety measures in place. Jonas Vingegaard felt safe during the stage.
Markel Beloki, the youngest rider in the Vuelta, completed the time trial without incident. Protest groups have published the route and estimated times for Friday's stage, promising more disruptions in the final three stages of the race.
In the capital, over 1,100 law enforcement officials will be present in Madrid on Sunday, making it the biggest security operation in the city since Spain hosted a NATO summit meeting in 2022. With the race nearing its conclusion, the focus remains on both the competition and the ongoing protests.
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