The toughest mountain stage of the Vuelta a España came perilously close to ending early as pro-Palestine protesters spilt onto the route with 20 kilometres to go at a roundabout, almost stopping the main bunch. Shortly after the break led by Mikel Landa (Soudal–Quick-Step) and Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) had gone through the roundabout, near the town of Beceril de la Sierra, around 100 protesters ran onto the road, some sitting on the ground.
At the last possible moment, the main peloton of around 30 favourites was able to ride around the blockade and continue, but all the team cars and many riders behind the principal chase group were blocked behind.
