Protests Shadow Israel Premier Tech at La Vuelta
This year’s Vuelta a España has not just been about cycling—it’s been overshadowed by heavy protests directed at one particular team, Israel Premier Tech. From the very start in Bilbao, tension has been in the air. The riders, staff, and even their team bus have had to move under escort, surrounded by security, as demonstrations follow them from stage to stage.
The protests are tied to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with many accusing Israel of committing atrocities. Unfortunately, the cycling team has found itself caught in the crossfire of these political tensions. Óscar Guerrero, the team’s director and a veteran with decades of experience in the peloton, admitted that the situation has been far from easy. He said openly that being shouted at with insults—being called a “murderer” or worse—was painful, especially after devoting his entire life to the sport.
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For the riders, the pressure has been more than just emotional. Guerrero explained that the athletes don’t feel completely safe on the bike, where they’re at their most vulnerable. He recalled moments during earlier stages, such as in Figueres and on the way to Larra Belagua, where the situation could have easily spiraled into a dangerous crash if quick reactions hadn’t been made. That constant fear—that someone might jump into the peloton or push a rider—creates a strain beyond the physical challenge of the race itself.
Still, Guerrero was firm that leaving the race has never been seriously considered. “We’re here because we’ve earned the right to be,” he stressed. The team, he reminded everyone, is private and made up of riders from 25 different nationalities, not representatives of a government. In his words, they do not intend to hide, nor do they want to be driven out by external conflicts.
The situation has become so intense that in Bilbao, the stage had to be neutralized and concluded early. According to Spanish rider Carlos Verona, officials told the peloton that security at the finish line could not be guaranteed. The decision left the stage without an official winner, a rare and dramatic move in professional cycling. Verona himself expressed regret, saying it was a shame to see politics interfere so directly in the sport, though he acknowledged the right of people to protest peacefully.
Despite the loud voices around them, Guerrero and his team are trying to stay focused on the race. He admitted it hurts deeply to be insulted by strangers, and even more when the attacks come from people who know him personally. But his message was clear: the riders are professionals, they are competitors, and they will push forward to Madrid. What happens outside of the race, as he put it, is beyond their control.
In the end, La Vuelta this year has become more than a test of endurance on the mountains and roads of Spain—it’s also become a test of resilience in the face of protests, politics, and pressure far bigger than the sport itself.
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