{"id":379861,"date":"2025-08-28T08:32:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T08:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/379861\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T08:32:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T08:32:11","slug":"pro-palestinian-protesters-storm-course-disrupt-israeli-riders-at-vuelta-a-espana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/379861\/","title":{"rendered":"Pro-Palestinian protesters storm course, disrupt Israeli riders at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted the fifth stage of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a on Wednesday, forcing riders from the Israel\u2013Premier Tech cycling team to stop mid-race before resuming and losing valuable time.<\/p>\n

The protest unfolded just a few kilometers into the stage outside the Catalan town of Figueres, when demonstrators ran onto the course. According to the team, four of its riders were forced to halt for several seconds while four others threaded their way through the crowd. The team completed the 25-kilometer team time trial but acknowledged the incident cost them time. It was the first time pro-Palestinian activists had succeeded in disrupting a race featuring Israel\u2013Premier Tech.<\/p>\n

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1 View gallery <\/p>\n

\"\u05e8\u05d5\u05db\u05d1\u05d9<\/a>\"\u05e8\u05d5\u05db\u05d1\u05d9<\/p>\n

Israel\u2013Premier Tech riders passing by pro-Palestinian demonstrators <\/p>\n

(Photo: Zadok Israeli)<\/p>\n

The incident occurred despite what the team described as \u201cheavy security\u201d and Spanish police preparations for such a scenario. Before the stage, the team noted that police had assigned at least eight motorcycles to patrol the course.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsrael\u2013Premier Tech respects the right of every individual to freedom of expression, including the right to demonstrate peacefully,\u201d the team said in a statement. \u201cBut we strongly condemn the dangerous acts of protest that occurred during Stage 5 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, which not only endangered the safety of our riders and race staff but also the demonstrators themselves. We will continue to work with race organizers and authorities to ensure the safety of riders and staff in the Vuelta and all other races we participate in.\u201d<\/p>\n

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This was sadly expected. Some protesters tried to block the Israel-Premier Tech team during the race. I say it again: it won’t help their cause. Thank God the riders were not injured.#LaVuelta25<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/HLqXNb5c1c<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) August 27, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Team owner Sylvan Adams denounced the protest, calling it \u201cterror.\u201d \u201cAn attack at a sporting event is terrorism \u2014 just like their heroes, Hamas,\u201d Adams said. \u201cThis could have ended very badly, even fatally, because the riders were in aerodynamic position with their heads down, pedaling at 70 kilometers per hour. Fortunately, this time it did not end in tragedy. It was a despicable act that every reasonable person should condemn. Sadly, there are too many foolish people who support haters that threaten and commit acts of violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sporting director Daryl Impey of South Africa described the scene: \u201cEveryone was lined up and riding, and suddenly people jumped onto the course. It\u2019s very sad for us and for the riders. Some are still shaken by what happened. We\u2019re shocked. Even I was emotional after seeing them deal with it. We\u2019ll talk with the organizers. I think we lost at least half a minute. At one point, George Bennett actually stopped and stood on the side of the road, but we managed to regroup. I feel sorry for the guys, and at the same time I\u2019m proud of them. People can demonstrate for what they believe in, but people could have been badly hurt.<\/p>\n