Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) took a clear stance against the multiple pro-Palestine protests that characterised stage 11 of the Vuelta a España in Bilbao, declaring that "putting the riders in danger is not the right way" after being deprived of the chance to fight for the stage victory due to the race being neutralised with 3km to go.

Although the race was stopped before the finish, with the runners diverted directly to the team buses, Pidcock still wanted to reach the finish line alone on the Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro, where Palestinian flags and protesters were present.

"It's hard to describe the disappointment, honestly. I felt like today could have been my day," said a visibly frustrated Pidcock. "There should always be a finish line. This isn't an amateur granfondo."

The Briton showed his best form so far in this Vuelta, temporarily managing to break away on the tough Alto de Pike, before being caught only by the red jersey's Jonas Vingegaard. At the time of the neutralization, the two had a roughly 10-second lead over João Almeida and the other pursuers.

"Many people only talk about the route on paper. Now I don't have... well, I'm not saying I would have definitely won, but I had a good chance," he added. "It's disappointing, but I don't want to waste energy on this. There's still a long way to go."

Regarding the protests, Pidcock concluded: "Everyone has the right to protest for what they want, but putting riders in danger won't help their cause. Cycling has nothing to do with what's happening."