Cycling’s global governing body (UCI) on Monday said it “regretted” the Spanish government’s support for pro-Palestinian demonstrations that disrupted the Vuelta and which “could call into question Spain’s ability to host major international sporting events”.
After Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed support for the protests, the UCI responded with a statement saying “this position is contradictory to the Olympic values of unity, mutual respect, and peace”.
Spanish Vuelta organisers on Monday defended their decision to keep an Israel-based team in the cycling race despite pro-Palestinian protests that ultimately provoked chaotic scenes in a disrupted finale in Madrid this weekend.
Sunday’s final stage had to be cut short after protesters threw barriers onto the road and clashed with police near the finish line in the Spanish capital.
The Vuelta race director condemned calls for the boycott of the three-week-long race that became a diplomatic battleground as protesters called for team Israel Premier Tech to be expelled.
Javier Guillén said there was nothing organisers could have done regarding the presence of the Israeli team.
Spain’s left-wing government expressed sympathy with the protesters and suggested that the Israel Premier Tech should withdraw from the race. The team removed the team name from its uniforms but remained in the race until the end.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday criticised Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for what he said was encouragement for the protesters. Madrid’s conservative mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, also criticised Sánchez and described Sunday’s events as a sad day for the Spanish capital.
(inputs from AP)
Published on Sep 15, 2025
