Jonas Abrahamsen secures narrow win at Tour de France stage marred by anti-Israel protest incident
Norway's Jonas Abrahamsen took an epic battle-won win in the Tour de France last week. He won against Switzerland's Mauro Schmid by a fraction of a second. The dramatic victory was, however, marred by a brutal brawl between an anti-Israel protester who was tackled and pushed over a barricade near the racetrack.
The Associated Press reported that the Gaza health ministry says the Palestinian death toll surpassed 58,000.
Jonas Abrahamsen's close victory in Tour de France disrupted by
anti-Israel protest
The 2025 Tour de France was thrown into shock closer to the end of a recent stage when an anti-Israel protester rushed onto the course waving a sign protesting the Israeli team's presence. The protester had a T-shirt that said "Israel out of the Tour," directed at the Israeli team as international tensions rise over the current Israel-Gaza conflict.
The drama unfolded as Jonas Abrahamsen edged past Mauro Schmid with a thrilling finish to win the stage. When the protester reached the track, a member of staff—whose name is not yet established but is claimed to be with event security—intervened with utmost force. In a moment that immediately became viral, the man was brought down, dragged aside, and then thrown furiously over a metal barrier. The staffer was seen in eyewitness videos delivering numerous additional punches before a bystander intervened and stopped the beating.
What happened to the anti-Israel protestor?
Agence France-Presse has reported that the protester was arrested on Wednesday, though no charges have yet been made. The protest is over Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza, as over 55,000 Palestinians have died since 2023, Reuters said. The Associated Press reported that more than 1,650 Israelis and foreigners have died in the same period.
What is happening in Gaza?
At least 84 people, including 73 aid seekers, have been killed by Israeli attacks across Gaza, with over 200 injured, as reported by Al-Jazeera.
Two more Palestinians, including a 35-day-old infant, have died of malnutrition at Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital. The Palestinian death toll has reached 58,000 after 21 months of war, according to AP.
Gaza has seen a surge in violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, with funerals held for two Palestinians, including Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet, killed by Israeli settlers. In central Gaza, an Israeli strike on a water collection point in Nuseirat killed six children.
Israel blames Hamas for civilian casualties, as the militant group operates out of populated areas. Women and children make up more than half of those dead in the war.
Concerns rise for Tour de France
Though the Tour de France has been known for drama, the convergence of political protest and brutality at the periphery of the cycle course has again raised race-day security concerns and how organizers intend to balance freedom of expression and athlete and public safety.
Also read:
Ineos driver hits spectator while chasing Thymen Arensman up the Col de Peyresourde
What ought to have been a day of celebration for Jonas Abrahamsen's historic stage victory has become a metaphor for the wider tensions that plague even the sporting world. The Tour de France advances, with its gaze fixed not only on the riders but also on how race officials handle security and opposition in an age of heightened politics.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Standard
38 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Brendan Taylor rejoins Zimbabwe Test team following ICC ban period
Brendan Taylor has returned to the Zimbabwe Test team after completing a three-and-a-half-year suspension imposed on him for breaching the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping codes. Taylor, 39, who was banned in January 2022 for failing to report a 2019 spot-fixing approach by an Indian businessman on time, has been added to the Zimbabwe squad for the second Test against New Zealand, scheduled to take place from August 7 to 11 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Taylor, who was at the time also handed a one month suspension for failing a dope test which was linked to his intake of cocaine during the episode, was banned after admitting receiving USD 15,000 in 2019. He was in solid form in red-ball cricket before the sanction, with scores of 92, 81 and 49 in his last three Test innings. Few days before the ICC sanction, Taylor had made a stunning disclosure that he was blackmailed after "foolishly" taking cocaine during his meeting with an Indian businessman. Reflecting on his own journey back into the Zimbabwe squad, Taylor was quoted as saying by ICC, "The last year and a half has certainly been dedicated to my return. "I've put in an immense amount of work from fitness to the technical side to diet and I'm feeling a lot leaner, fitter and mentally stronger. "I've thoroughly enjoyed this journey on my own, just rebuilding the blocks, and I feel in a wonderful space." The first Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand is currently underway in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe squad: Zimbabwe squad: Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor.
India.com
38 minutes ago
- India.com
Brendan Taylor Returns To Zimbabwe Squad For Second Test Against New Zealand
Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has been recalled to the national squad for the second Test against New Zealand, scheduled from August 7-11 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Taylor, 39, became eligible for selection following the completion of a three-and-a-half-year suspension imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaches of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and Anti-Doping Code. Rehabilitation and Return Since serving his ban, Taylor has undergone a comprehensive rehabilitation programme focused on overcoming drug and alcohol abuse. According to Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), he has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to personal growth, accountability, and regaining trust. ZC revealed that Taylor's reintegration into the squad began before the ongoing first Test against New Zealand, where he was invited to train with the team. Reflecting on his comeback, Taylor said: 'I certainly thought it was all over, but here I am, and it's an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I've had to pinch myself to believe I'm back. I've been embracing every moment, and the last year and a half has been entirely dedicated to my return.' He added: 'I've worked immensely hard on fitness, technique, and diet, and I feel leaner, fitter, and mentally stronger. Sobriety has made this journey possible. Rebuilding from scratch has been challenging but fulfilling, and I feel in a wonderful space.' Career Highlights Taylor has featured in 34 Test matches, scoring at an average of 36.25 with six centuries and 12 half-centuries. Across formats, he has amassed 9,938 international runs, ranking as Zimbabwe's third-highest run-scorer. His 17 international centuries remain the most by any Zimbabwean batter. Zimbabwe Cricket's Statement ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni praised Taylor's determination: 'Brendan has endured an incredibly difficult chapter in his life and shown genuine remorse, along with a powerful determination to make things right – for himself and Zimbabwe cricket. He has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, stayed disciplined during his rehabilitation, and has rightfully earned his place back on the team.
The Hindu
40 minutes ago
- The Hindu
EXPLAINED: World Athletics' SRY gene test for athletes wishing to compete in the female category
The World Athletics Council has approved new regulations concerning eligibility conditions to compete in the female category for world ranking competitions. The new regulations will come into effect on September 1, 2025 and will be applied to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, that begins on September 13. All athletes wishing to compete in the female category at the World Championships are required to undergo a once-in-a-lifetime test for the SRY gene – a reliable proxy for determining biological sex. This is to be conducted via a cheek swab or blood test, whichever is more convenient. The testing protocol will be overseen by individual athletics federations as they prepare their athletes and teams for Tokyo Championships. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe labelled this move an important step in attracting more women to athletics. 'The philosophy that we hold dear in World Athletics is the protection and the promotion of the integrity of women's sport. It is really important in a sport that is permanently trying to attract more women that they enter a sport believing there is no biological glass ceiling. The test to confirm biological sex is a very important step in ensuring this is the case. 'We are saying, at elite level, for you to compete in the female category, you have to be biologically female. It was always very clear to me and the World Athletics Council that gender cannot trump biology,' added Coe. The new regulations follow recommendations from the Gender Diverse Athlete Working Group approved by Council in March 2025. The female athlete category is defined in WA's Eligibility Rule 3.5, which states that only the following athletes may compete in this category: a. Biological females. b. Biological females who have used testosterone as part of male gender-affirming treatment further to a Therapeutic Use Exemption granted in accordance with World Athletics' Anti-Doping Rules may not compete in the female category until the passing of a period of time after their last use of testosterone (the period of time will be not shorter than four years and will be determined by World Athletics on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration all relevant factors including the timing, duration, dosages and effects of the male gender-affirming treatment). c. Biological males who have Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and therefore have not gone through male sexual development including any type of male puberty. d. Biological males with a difference of sex development who satisfy the transitional provisions issued by World Athletics.
