The Spanish Grand Tour, the Vuelta, is seeing its leaders grapple with a situation far removed from the usual race tactics and finish line sprints. Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard, riding for Visma-Lease a Bike and currently holding the red jersey, along with Portugal’s João Almeida from UAE Emirates, who sits second overall, both expressed their understanding of the ongoing pro-Palestine demonstrations affecting the race.
Vingegaard spoke frankly at a press conference during the race’s final rest day. He noted that the protestors seem desperate to get their message into the news. They feel a lack of attention, he explained, which drives their actions. “Honestly, I think we all feel that what’s happening here, with all these people demonstrating, is their way of reaching the news,” Vingegaard said. “They feel there isn’t enough attention; they are very desperate, and that’s why they do it.”
Almeida echoed this sentiment, stating simply that “everyone has the right to protest and to demonstrate for what they believe is right.”
For days, the Vuelta has been shadowed by supporters of the Palestinian cause. This comes amid the Israeli offensive in Gaza. Flags have lined the race routes, and demonstrations of solidarity have become common. A significant part of the protest also targets the Israel Premier Tech cycling team.
The Israeli team took steps to distance itself, even changing its kits to avoid any national identification. Still, the protests haven’t stopped. They’ve already caused one stage finish to be canceled and forced changes to several routes. Race organizers worry about riders being disrupted on the road. Incidents have already occurred, like with the Premier Tech team during a team time trial. On Sunday, two other cyclists fell after a demonstrator got too close.
The Spanish government and race organizers reportedly suggested the Israeli team withdraw from the Vuelta. The team, however, refused, arguing that doing so would “set a dangerous precedent.” The International Cycling Union (UCI), which famously banned Russian teams and flags from riders in 2021, has condemned the incidents. Yet, it has not yet issued any specific decisions regarding the current situation.
Almeida expressed regret that the demonstrations might “put riders in danger.” He feels it “doesn’t make much sense” to interfere with the race in such a way. Vingegaard also found it “unfortunate that the protests had to happen at the Vuelta.” However, he connected this to “much despair and the need for more attention” for what is happening in Gaza.
The race leader had already spoken about the Gaza situation on Sunday after the stage finish in Monforte de Lemos. He described it as “horrible,” adding that the protestors “want a voice; they do this for a reason.” Looking ahead, a representative from Valladolid’s city council told the EFE news agency that security for Thursday’s individual time trial in their city has been significantly beefed up. An additional 450 officers, some undercover, will be on duty, expecting more protests.
These protests are a direct response to the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip. This offensive has resulted in over 64,600 deaths in the territory, which has been governed by Hamas since 2007. This action followed a Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel has announced an operation to take Gaza City in the northern part of the enclave. It has also faced accusations of genocide and using starvation as a weapon of war, charges it denies. In August, the UN declared a famine in northern Gaza, marking the first time such a declaration has been made in the Middle East.