The Spanish Vuelta cycling team changes its uniform after pro-Palestinian demonstrations
A Spanish Vuelta bicycle team rolls with new uniforms without the name of the team after being targeted several times by Pro-Palestinian protests During the race.
Israel Premier Tech gave its cyclists the new uniforms before the 14th stage of Saturday in the middle of a difficult week for the team. He faced demonstrations before and during racing days, as well as the pressure of the heads of the race and the Spanish authorities.
Miguel OSS / AP
The team said that the decision was “in the interest of prioritizing the safety of our runners and the entire peloton, in the light of the dangerous nature of certain manifestations on Vuelta”.
Its blue uniforms, which will be used for the last week of the race, now have only a large P and a star. The “Kit Monogram is now aligned with the brand decisions that we have previously adopted for our occasional vehicles and clothes,” he said.
Vuelta is one of the prestigious cycling tours, alongside the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. The team has seen demonstrations similar to other races, including in Italy and the United Kingdom
The participation of the Premier Tech in Israel in the race was faced with demonstrations this week, the largest of which forced the organizers of the race to interrupt the arrival of Wednesday in the city of Bilbao.
Spanish police arrested 12 people on Friday who invaded the course with a pro-Palestinian banner and hampered the riders until the police withdrew them.
Miguel OSS / AP 
The Spaniards are largely sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. The Spanish government is also very critical of Israel Military invasion in GazaWho killed tens of thousands of civilians in retaliation for Hamas’ attacks in October 2023. In May, the Spanish government, alongside those of Ireland and Norway, announced It would be to recognize a Palestinian state. It was a decision which aroused the condemnation of Israel and the jubilation of the Palestinians.
Israel Premier Tech said the abandonment of the race “would establish a dangerous precedent”. Only one of the team runners at the Vuelta is Israeli.
The American Matthew Riccitello is the best positioned rider of the team. He was seventh in the general classification after 13 stages more than 4 minutes late on the leader of the race Jonas Vingegaard.
Ander Gillenea / AFP via Getty Images 
The Vuelta condemned the demonstration of Bilbao, but its technical director, Kiko Garcia, urged Israel Premier Tech to abandon or for the UCI, the body director of cycling, to intervene, because there was a risk of more protests if it continued to run. UCI also condemned the demonstration to Bilbao.
On Thursday, Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares said that he “would understand and be in favor” of withdrawing the race team, while adding that his government does not have the power to do so.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support for the team, who belongs to the Israeli-Canadian businessman Sylvan Adams, saying that it made “Israel proud”.
