"Pro-Palestine demonstrations have sparked safety concerns at the start of the Vuelta a Espana race. Riders and organizers met with UCI officials to discuss peace and ensure event security."
The ongoing Vuelta a España has seen a series of safety concerns arise, with the focus centred on multiple pro-Palestine protests and an incident that occurred the day before. The topic of discussion at a meeting held at the startline of Stage 11 in Bilbao was the continuation of Israel-Premier Tech's participation in the race.
Israel-Premier Tech, a cycling team that has yet to appear on the podium throughout the Vuelta at the stage start locations, has largely stayed away from the media. However, team rider Jake Stewart was present at the meeting, along with representatives from the race organisers (La Vuelta), UCI, and several notable riders such as Simone Petilli, Elia Viviani, and Marc Soler.
The organisers emphasised that while they respect peaceful protest, they cannot tolerate actions endangering participants' safety. They decided that Israel-Premier Tech would continue to participate in the race, stressing that withdrawing would set a dangerous precedent for all cycling teams. The riders, including Petilli who expressed concerns after his crash on Tuesday, were reassured that the organisers have been doing as much as they can to ensure safety.
The meeting was not about discussing whether Israel-Premier Tech should continue racing at the Vuelta. Instead, it was about addressing the ongoing safety concerns and finding solutions to ensure a peaceful and secure race environment.
Stage 11 was immediately affected by a protest, causing a temporary stop in the neutral zone. If the protests are peaceful, the race will proceed normally. However, if they become dangerous, the riders may decide to take action. Armed police are semi-permanently standing near Israel-Premier Tech vehicles at the Vuelta starts and finishes, as they have done at other races like the Tour de France.
The discussions and decisions made at the meeting are crucial for maintaining the integrity and safety of the Vuelta a España. The race continues, with the riders, organisers, and spectators hoping for a peaceful and successful conclusion.
In other news, Cyclingnews is providing unlimited access to their 2025 Vuelta a Espana coverage, with their team of journalists on the ground from the Italian Gran Partida through to Madrid, bringing coverage from every stage of the Grand Tour as it happens. A recent photo shared by Cyclingnews features coverage of the Vuelta a Espana.
It's important to note that Israel is currently engaged in armed conflict in Gaza, with the United Nations calling for a ceasefire amidst growing concerns over reports of famine in the territory. This conflict has sparked protests against Israel-Premier Tech's inclusion in the race at the Vuelta, with previous protests occurring in Figueres (a stage of the Giro d'Italia) and Toulouse (Tour de France).
As the race continues, we will keep you updated on any developments regarding the safety concerns and the ongoing pro-Palestine protests. Stay tuned for more updates from the Vuelta a España.
