Portugal Colonial - Pedersen wins Vuelta stage 15 as protesters again impact race

Spanish cyclist Javier Romo fell with 56 kilometres remaining amid a disturbance caused by a protestor who slipped on the side of the road as he ran towards a group of riders, with Romo then appearing to run after the person before mounting his bike and continuing with the race.

Local media reported that 10 protestors were arrested for public disorder offences, and some tussled with police near the end of the race.

Race organisers erected extra barriers to preserve the integrity of the course and allow riders to finish the stage.

Protestors waved Palestine flags en masse at the start and end of the day's racing.

The race has been disrupted numerous times, including the 11th stage being shortened because of protests at the finish line in Bilbao.

Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard retained the red jersey as overall leader, maintaining his 48-second lead on Joao Almeida.

Danish Lidl–Trek rider Pedersen scored his first victory of this year's race with a blistering burst past Marco Frigo on the home straight of the hilly stage, running 167.8 kilometres from A Veiga to Monforte de Lemos.

Frigo, riding for Israel-Premier Tech, the team targeted by the protests, came in third behind Orluis Aular.

Pedersen's team-mates pulled hard for him in the day's large breakaway to give him the chance to triumph.

"It makes the victory even sweeter," said Pedersen.

"They worked so hard to make it possible, it makes it even nicer to win when everyone is looking at us and everyone knew our plan."

The stage win bolstered Pedersen's hopes of holding onto the green jersey for the most points, currently leading Vingegaard by 98.

The peloton, featuring Vingegaard and the other main contenders, finished 13-and-a-half minutes after Pedersen crossed the line.

After a rest day on Monday, the race resumes with stage 16 on Tuesday, running 167.9km from Poio to Castro de Herville.

G.Machado--PC