The Vuelta a España has hit a rough patch, not just with tough climbs, but with political protests turning the race upside down. On Wednesday, the 11th stage, which started and finished in Bilbao, saw such a massive crowd of demonstrators at the finish line that race officials called off the sprint. No one won the stage, with times recorded three kilometers before the end. Protesters were voicing anger over the situation in Gaza and the presence of the Israel-Premier Tech team in one of cycling’s biggest tours.
Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, shared his thoughts on the matter. He publicly stated he would favor kicking the Israel-Premier Tech team out of the Vuelta. When asked if the team should be expelled, he answered, “I understand it, and I would be in favor of it.”
However, Minister Albares quickly clarified that this decision is not up to the Spanish government. He explained that the International Cycling Union (UCI) holds that power. Because of this, the Spanish government “had nothing to say” about the team joining the race. Albares pointed to Russia’s ban from sports events after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 as an example. He believes it’s impossible “to keep having a normal relationship with Israel as if nothing were happening.”
Albares stressed the need to send a message to Israel and its people. He noted that Europe and Israel can only have a relationship when human rights are respected, as stated in Article 2 of their bilateral agreement. He made these comments during an interview with Spain’s public radio station, RNE.
Protests have shadowed the Israel-Premier Tech team since the Vuelta began on August 23. These demonstrations have caused problems, including rider falls and the team stopping during the team time trial.
Even the Vuelta’s technical director, Kiko García, suggested the team might need to pull out. He said, “We will try, all together, to force… people to understand that the situation is not easy and that, together, we can find a solution. For me, there is only one, which would be for the Israel team itself to realize that being here does not make everyone else safer.”
Despite these calls, the Israel-Premier Tech team quickly shut down any talk of leaving the race. They released a statement saying, “Israel-Premier Tech is a professional cycling team and, as such, remains committed to participating in the Vuelta a España. Any other alternative would set a dangerous precedent in cycling, not just for Israel-Premier Tech, but for all teams.”
The UCI, on the same day, spoke out against the actions that led to the neutralization of the 11th stage. The organization firmly restated its “commitment to political neutrality, independence, and autonomy in sport.” The UCI believes that sport, especially cycling, brings people together and breaks down barriers. It should “never be used as a tool for punishment.” The UCI also offered its full support to teams, staff, and riders, ensuring they can do their jobs safely and calmly.
The 80th edition of the Vuelta began in Turin, Italy, on August 23 and will wrap up in Madrid on September 14.
These protests come against a grim backdrop. Israel launched a military offensive in the Gaza Strip after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. That attack killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. Authorities in the Palestinian enclave report that Israel’s actions in Gaza have since caused more than 63,000 deaths. Furthermore, the UN declared an official famine in Gaza City on August 22, after experts warned that 500,000 people faced a catastrophic situation.