"The Vuelta a España is supposed to be a pure battle of watts, tactics, and survival across Spain's most demanding climbs. But the 2025 edition has been defined as much by protests as by racing. Pro-Palestinian protests have repeatedly targeted Israel-Premier Tech, spilling into the road and shaking the safety of the peloton. Now, with Stage 11 in Bilbao neutralized and no winner declared, La Vuelta is fighting to keep its identity as a race intact."
"The first flashpoint came during Stage 5, a team time trial in Figueres. Protesters stormed the course mid-effort, waving banners and blocking Israel-Premier Tech mid-effort. The disruption shattered the team's rhythm, forcing the commissaires to award a time adjustment afterward. It was the first sign that the Vuelta's drama would not be confined to the legs of the riders. The team was already on tenterhooks, as one of their riders, Derek Gee, had terminated his contract with the team just before the event,"
"Things escalated on Stage 10 when protesters again entered the course. This time, Intermarché-Wanty's Simone Petilli went down in the commotion. He later called for protests to steer clear of endangering riders, emphasizing that the peloton is "just doing our job." For many, this incident turned frustration into genuine fear. Now the riders would have a general safety meeting along with the formal morning announcements for each stage."
Pro-Palestinian protesters repeatedly disrupted the 2025 Vuelta a España, directly targeting Israel-Premier Tech and spilling into race routes. Stage 5's team time trial in Figueres was interrupted when protesters stormed the course, forcing commissaires to award a time adjustment. Rider Derek Gee terminated his contract with Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the event. Stage 10 saw protesters re-enter the course, causing Intermarché-Wanty's Simone Petilli to crash and prompting calls to keep protests away from riders. Organizers convened general safety meetings and issued formal morning announcements. Stage 11 in Bilbao was neutralized when protesters blocked the final kilometers and no winner was declared.
Read at Bikerumor
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