Vuelta officials say they have their hands tied but are urging Israel-Premier Tech to leave the race: ‘They are not making it easier for the safety of everyone else.’
Pressure is growing on Israel-Premier Tech to leave the Vuelta a España. (Photo: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Updated September 3, 2025 02:22PM
LAREDO, Spain (Velo) — Israel-Premier Tech will not be leaving the Vuelta a España.
Team officials said late Wednesday that despite two days of intense protests that the team will be at the start of Thursday’s 12th stage in Laredo.
The team — backed by Israeli investor Sylvan Adams but not funded by the Netanyahu government — has been the target of fierce pro-Palestinian protests since the Vuelta arrived in Spain.
Things reached a boiling point on Wednesday in Bilbao when hundreds of protesters massed at the finish line. Despite a strong police presence, tensions ramped up, and race organizers were forced to neutralize the stage.
Though publicly riders and teams were hesitant to make statements, there was growing pressure behind the scenes for the team to pull out.
In a stunning move, team officials said everyone will be at the start line on Thursday.
“Israel-Premier Tech is a professional cycling team. As such, the team remains committed to racing on at the Vuelta a España,” a team statement read.
“Any other course of action sets a dangerous precedent in the sport of cycling, not only for Israel-Premier Tech, but for all teams. Israel-Premier Tech has repeatedly expressed its respect for everyone’s right to protest, as long as those protests remain peaceful and do not compromise the safety of the peloton.
“The Vuelta a España race organization and police are doing everything in their power to create a safe environment and, for that, the team is especially grateful. However, the behaviour of protestors in Bilbao today was not only dangerous, but counterproductive to their cause and deprived the Basque cycling fans, some of the best cycling fans in the world, of the stage finish they deserved.
“We thank the race organizers and UCI for their continued support and cooperation, as well as the teams and riders that have expressed their support both publicly and privately and, of course, our fans.”
Pressure growing on Israel-Premier Tech to Leave the Vuelta
BILBAO, Spain (Velo) — Pressure is growing for Israel-Premier Tech to leave the Vuelta a España.
After two days of intense protests by ever-more-aggressive demonstrators, race officials and members of the Vuelta peloton are growing exasperated with the increasing tension and danger.
A mob of protesters — who are directing their anger over the Gaza war toward the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team — massed at the finish line Wednesday and pressed in on police.
The scene was so tense that Vuelta organizers decided to neutralize the finish and redirect riders off the race course at three kilometers to go to avoid the potentially explosive situation at the finish line.
Vuelta officials say they’ve received no guidance from the UCI or official communication from the representatives of the riders or teams in the Vuelta.
“I believe now it is time to take a decision,” said Vuelta technical director Kiko García. “Not from us [the Vuelta], but from all the stakeholders. Honestly, we have no time to lose. The time is now.”
With more disturbances expected in Thursday’s stage, García said race officials will meet Wednesday night with police and local authorities to try to decide the best way to move forward.
On Wednesday, Israel-Premier Tech owner Sylvan Adams was in the race and rode in a team car for part of the stage. He did not speak with the media at the finish line.
A dozen armed officers ringed the IPT bus in Bilbao as security forces swarmed the finish zone.
García said the Vuelta organization is taking extra steps to increase safety and security across the race by working with local and regional authorities, but said that race officials have not heard from the UCI or from the representatives from the teams’ or riders’ groups.
“So far, we try to protect [Israel-Premier Tech]. We have special protections for them, special convoys, and all kind of protections for the riders. We also try to protect the other teams and the other people in the race,” García said. “If we make a decision all together, it is much easier. So far, we have not seen any communication from anyone. We are all alone on this.
“In the end, it will be up to the UCI to decide whether to protect an international race like the Vuelta or a team. All we can do is our job.”
A dozen armed police surrounded the IPT bus at the finish line on Wednesday in Bilbao, and police provided a heavy presence at the finish and on the course that looped in the hills above Bilbao.
Riders like Tom Pidcock are saying they are feeling unsafe despite the extra security measures.
On Tuesday, protesters jumped into the oncoming peloton and caused Intermarché’s Simone Petilli to crash.
García, also speaking with Spanish media, suggested the situation could be reaching a breaking point.
“I spoke with the team manager (from Israel) last night until late, seeing if they themselves felt that the pressure was rising. I won’t say what their view is, but there is only one solution,” García said.
“We cannot make that decision, but by prioritizing everyone’s safety, we understand that the solution would be for the Israel team itself to realize that, by being here, they are not making it easier to ensure the safety of everyone else.”
There is no official word from Israel-Premier Tech on Wednesday. The team is expected to hold meetings and discuss with race officials overnight about the ever-tenser situation.