POIO, Spain (AP) — The 16th stage of the Spanish Vuelta was cut short Tuesday after pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the road a few kilometers from the finish line.

It was the second time a stage was cut short because of the protests at the three-week Grand Tour race in Spain.

Race organizers took the times of riders with 8 kilometers (5 miles) to go, giving Egan Bernal the stage win. Jonas Vingegaard kept the overall lead entering the final week of the race.

The decision was made after hundreds of protesters gathered at about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) to go in the 168-kilometer (104-mile) stage in northwestern Spain.

Race officials told teams there was "a big protest at 3 kilometers before the line. We will decide the stage winner and take times at 8 kilometers before the line.”

___

See Full Page