Spain’s Minister of Sport and Education has become the country’s latest politician to comment on the ongoing tension surrounding the Vuelta a España, calling for Israel-Premier Tech to leave the race, but insisting that the Vuelta should continue.
Speaking on Cadena Ser’s El Larguero sports program, Pilar Alegría discussed the pro-Palestinian protests about the presence of Israel-Premier Tech, pointing out that since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country’s teams have been banned from multiple sports. This includes cycling, although Russians are allowed to continue racing as individuals, under a neutral flag.
“The question is, should this occur with Israel? My answer is clear. Yes, it should.” Alegría told El Larguero, adding that she believed other sports, like football, also could follow suit.
Alegría is the second top Spanish government minister to support Israel-Premier Tech’s expulsion from the race after Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told RNE that he would be in favour, before noting that it’s a decision that can only be made by the sport’s governing body – the UCI.
Alegría denied there had been any pressure on the government’s part to expel the team, but agreed with Albares about the UCI. She also said that she had been in contact with race director Javier Guillén to discuss the ongoing situation, where a third stage, Thursday’s time trial in Valladolid, has been reduced to 12.7 kilometres, less than half its original distance, in order to maximise security.
“He wants to avoid any harm coming to any athlete – we have to maintain levels of security and balance that with citizens’ rights [to protest].”
Her remarks contrasted strongly with those of the co-spokesperson for Spain’s hard-left Podemos party, Pablo Fernández, who made a call for “an active boycott and civil disobedience” to stop stage 17.
“They have to block the roads,” Fernández told Spanish media, “they have to stop the race from finishing in the streets of this city.”
Alegría said she did not share those calls, saying she hoped the race would be finished on Sunday in Madrid.
The organiser has repeatedly denied reports in one newspaper that were subsequently removed that the final stage will be cancelled, with race director Javier Guillén telling reporters after stage 16 that “there is no Plan B.”
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