This year, protests have swept through Europe’s elite cycling races, emerging most dramatically at Spain’s La Vuelta. What began as displays of solidarity for Gazans has turned into a campaign of disruption that endangers riders, bullies fans, and threatens the spirit of our sport.
Cycling is already a high-wire act of athleticism, endurance, and collective trust. Riders depend on a clear course, reliable logistics, and the watchful eyes of marshals to compete safely. In recent weeks, that trust has been shattered.
Protesters have invaded the road, toppled trees across riders’ paths, caused crashes, and clashed with police just meters from finish lines. Stages have been neutralized or cut short, most notably at La Vuelta, where both stage 11 in Bilbao and stage 16 in Galicia ended miles from their planned finale due to blockades and escalating unrest.
It is dangerous. Belgian Edward Planckaert and Spaniard Javier Romo were taken down by a protester darting onto the tarmac, creating an injury risk that haunts every athlete and every fan who has ever seen their heroes ride.
When events are hijacked, young and old fans are pushed away from their vantage points and left to watch chaos instead of competition. Volunteers, organizers, and entire communities who labor year-round to celebrate sport have seen their work devalued and the joy of racing replaced with fear and uncertainty.
Fans have every right to feel bullied. The protests have gone far beyond passionate advocacy. Activists have accosted spectators and disrupted race coverage.
The global cycling community thrives on diversity of opinion, but forcing all voices out except one is antithetical to our values. When a handful of activists override tens of thousands of supporters, millions of viewers, and disrupt the traditions we hold dear, the spirit of sport turns into a campaign of exclusion.
In the middle of this controversy stands the Israel Premier Tech cycling team. Israel Premier Tech promotes peace through sport, fielding riders from more than a dozen nations, including four Israelis, and working with communities globally to foster understanding and cooperation.
The team abides by the highest standards of sporting spirit and has repeatedly issued statements emphasizing its respect for free speech, yet condemning dangerous protest actions around races. Their roster and leadership are recognized for using the international cycling platform to highlight collaboration, fair play, and mutual respect.
Despite its focus on inclusion and peace-building, Israel Premier Tech is unfairly singled out and targeted by anti-Israel protesters who conflate political grievances with the athletes and staff who dedicate their lives to the sport. These attacks undermine peace-building efforts and risk isolating those who could be allies in broader campaigns for understanding.
Perhaps worst of all, these disruptions miss their mark. Riders, teams, and cycling federations have expressed sympathy for the suffering behind the protesters’ cause. Yet, as prominent cyclists Jonas Vingegaard and Tom Pidcock have made clear, races are the wrong place for political protest, especially protests that put lives at risk and sacrifice athletes’ hard-earned victories.
No one is asking my opinion, but targeting races instead of decision-makers alienates those most likely to stand alongside them. The drama of a ruined finish line does little to advance meaningful change. It only splits allies and hands opponents reason to tune out.
We must defend cycling’s heart. Peaceful protests should be welcome. Genuine dialogue with riders, teams, and governing bodies is necessary. But drawing battle lines on the course, endangering cyclists, bullying fans, and targeting teams like Israel Premier Tech is not the way. As the season closes, our roads must remain places of unity, courage, and fair competition.
Dan is a veteran public relations, political communications and media strategist. He founded Full Court Press Communications 20 years ago. He is also the host of Mindful Work www.MindfulWork.show – a podcast at the intersection of Mindfulness, Jewish Thought, and Business. He resides in Israel.