Pro-Palestinian protests have disrupted race in Spain
Thursday sees 12th stage of 21-stage Tour take place
The Israel-Premier Tech team have said pulling out of this year’s Vuelta a España would “set a dangerous precedent in the sport of cycling” after pro-Palestinian protests disrupted the 11th stage of the race on Wednesday.
There was no winner declared on Wednesday’s stage due to protestors at the finish line in Bilbao. Israel-Premier Tech were also the target of protests during the team time-trial last week and there have been suggestions that some members of the peloton would like the team to withdraw from the race.
After stage 11, though, Israel-Premier Tech pledged to continue. “Israel–Premier Tech is a professional cycling team,” the team said in a statement. “As such, the team remains committed to racing on at the Vuelta a España. Any other course of action sets a dangerous precedent in the sport of cycling, not only for Israel–Premier Tech, but for all teams.
