Bernal is reborn in the Vuelta, again shortened

Stage 16 of the Vuelta a España was shortened yesterday after pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the road a few kilometers from the finish line.

The event organizers measured the cyclists' times eight kilometers from the finish line, awarding Colombian Egan Bernal the victory. Jonas Vingegaard maintained the overall lead entering the final week of the race.

Bernal hadn't won a stage in one of cycling's three biggest events since his triumph at the 2021 Giro d'Italia. The 2019 Tour de France champion was involved in a serious traffic accident in January 2022 while training in his home country. He crashed into a bus and nearly became paraplegic after suffering multiple fractures.

The 28-year-old Colombian, a rider for the Ineos Grenadiers team, beat Spaniard Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step) in a sprint.

It was the second time a stage was shortened due to protests in the three-week Grand Tour race in Spain.

The decision came after hundreds of protesters gathered about three kilometers from the finish line of the 168-kilometer stage in northwestern Spain.

The organizers informed the teams that there was a protest three kilometers before the finish line.

Police were unable to fully disperse the protesters, who are demanding that the Israel Premier Tech team withdraw from the competition. The team began Saturday's stage wearing new uniforms without the team name.

Protesters attempted to block the passage of the Israeli team's support van yesterday.

On Sunday, a protester carrying the Palestinian flag was arrested after attempting to invade the road in front of cyclists, causing two of them to fall.

Javi Romo, one of the cyclists who fell, withdrew from the race yesterday after not fully recovering from the crash.— AP