• Bilbao stage disruption is latest in series of incidents

• CPA says ‘unacceptable’ to put race competitors at risk

Sport without a definitive result is very strange but these times are far from normal. After the start of the Vuelta a España’s 11th stage was the latest major cycling race to be disrupted by pro-Palestinian human rights protesters, race organisers took the decision to neutralise the finish as it became clear the finish line in Bilbao could be targeted.

It was a call made to protect the safety of the cyclists but it also potentially denied a visibly frustrated Tom Pidcock a first stage win at the Spanish Grand Tour. The Briton attacked on the final climb and achieved the rare feat of troubling Jonas Vingegaard, the man in the leader’s red jersey, but the battle was not allowed to reach a proper conclusion.

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