Spain's Vuelta cycling race resumes from stage 12 on schedule, following a day's halt due to pro-Palestine protests in Bilbao
The 2025 Vuelta a España kicked off on Thursday from Laredo, with Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) leading the race, followed by João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Tom Pidcock (Q36.5). Amidst the excitement, Israel-PremierTech, a participating team, found themselves at the centre of protests.
Sports director of Israel-PremierTech, Oscar Guerrero, reiterated the team's commitment to continuing in the race. Despite understanding the protests, he emphasised the importance of maintaining peace. Guerrero encouraged others to consider the team's point of view, including the riders with their contracts and families, and the staff.
The team's decision to stay came after a tense moment during stage 11, where they purposely avoided certain climbs due to fears of aggression. The riders generally experienced only a few insulting gestures during the stage.
The Israeli team officially presented their riders during the presentation of Stage 18 of the Vuelta a España 2025, which took place on September 10. However, they were not presented on stage during the race.
The race was previously neutralised due to pro-Palestine protests in Bilbao. During the current race, around 100 pro-Palestine supporters were present, chanting for the expulsion of Israel-Premier Tech from the Vuelta.
Guerrero stated that from certain teams' perspectives, it would be better if Israel-PremierTech was not in the Vuelta. However, he highlighted the potential consequences if they were to quit the race. If Israel-PremierTech were to withdraw, they would likely become a target in every race and would have to quit everywhere, potentially leading to the end of the team and the displacement of its 180 employees.
Despite the challenges, the race got underway around 14:00 with a calmer atmosphere outside the Israel-PremierTech bus compared to the previous day. Police kept a close watch on the roads during the race, but there seemed to be little tension.
As the Vuelta a España continues, with stage 12 currently underway and the riders en route to the first categorised climb, the focus remains on the race itself. The 130km stretch until the finish in Los Corrales de Buelna promises an exciting battle among the top riders. Despite the protests, Israel-PremierTech stands firm, continuing their journey in the race.
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