What happened? That The return to Spain 2025 promises to occupy an outstanding place in the Patria sports chronicle, even in the international, but for a reason that bit It has nothing to do with bikes. The competition par excellence of Spanish cycling has been marked by protests against Gaza’s genocide, which have found an unpayable showcase for their message in the tournament.
Why’s that? Simple. Three elements that have caused an explosive mixture coincide. The first is Gaza’s genocide and the deep rejection that is generating in the societies of several countries, including Spain. The second element is the very nature of cycling competitions, which have been used for years Slave shop windows difficult to control. After all, the return is divided into 21 stages that cover More than 3,000 kilometers.
The third element is the participation of Israel-Premier Techa Uciproteam team that has become an involuntary protagonist of the appointment.
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Why is it controversial? Being linked to Israel and being in the hands of Sylvan Adams, a Canadian-Israeli magnate linked to the real estate sector, who has reached define as “self -proclaimed ambassador to the state of Israel” and It does not hide His tuning with Benjamin Netanyahu. His participation in the Vuelta has marked the edition almost From the beginning and has placed his cyclists in the eye of the hurricane.
The best test was left a few days ago by the technical director of La Vuelta, Kiko García, who slid that I only saw “a solution” to the problems with which the return is being found: “that the team assumes that being does not facilitate the safety of all others.” Those responsible for Israel-Primer Tech always They have made clear that this possibility is not on the table because “a dangerous precedent would sit”, but They accepted eliminating The mention of ‘Israel’ of his jersey. The measure, loaded with symbolism, does not seem to have been enough.
How serious is the problem? Yes. A week ago the organization of the Vuelta was found with such deployment of protesters as it passed through Bilbao that he chose to end the stage Three kilometers before of the planned end point. And it has not been the only occasion when he has been forced to make a similar decision. In Galicia the organization also decided to advance Eight kilometers The goal.
Cyclists have encountered banners, screams, protesters throwing themselves on the road, Blacks or even A tree In the middle of the road. A cyclist from Movistar, Javier Romo, He ended up retiring of the tournament for the injuries he suffered after a fall. The reason? A protester broke into the road and caused him to be protruding and lost his balance. Cyclists have decided to continue competing, but also They warn that will be planted if they consider that they are in danger.
“In the previous stage, they launched bottles and even clicks and nails in the neutralized. Before those things, the squad is afraid,” I recognized Recently a team director The country. From the Staff They also regret that the 2025 Vuelta has left shocking images like “chinches on the face of a cyclist.”
What will happen in Madrid? The big question. The last two days will be held this weekend with the Community of Madrid as Main scenario: On Saturday there will be a mountain stage between World ball and Robledo de Chavela And on Sunday it will be culminated between ALALPARD and the center of the capital. The authorities want to avoid at all costs that the protests cloud the most symbolic (and media) day of the return and have decided shield Madrid to achieve it.
The Government Delegation Recognize That citizens have a “legitimate right” to demonstrate, but also insist that “peaceful” must be exercised. In any case, the administrations have preferred to work in health and deploy hundreds of police and civil guards, with an operation that reminds of draft appointments, such as The NATO Summit in Madrid. From the City Council they have also reinforced security and They call “To responsibility.”
The right of the people to demonstrate is not questioned, but they want to avoid scenarios such as those who lived in the Basque Country or Galicia. “It works to compatible the development of the sports test, with the legitimate right of demonstration of those citizens who decide,” Underline Francisco Martín Aguirre, the Government delegate in the Community of Madrid.
How many agents will there be? Many. The Government Delegation in Madrid speaks of 1,100 National Police agents and 400 of the Civil Guard, effective who “will join the usual ones of the return device.” The City Council has also announced a reinforced deployment, with a thousand troopssum of local police (800), mobility agents (100) and Samur (100).
The objective: shield The gold brooch for a cycling return that, beyond sports achievements, will be marked for subsequentness by protests.
Images | Madrid Emergency Vehicle (Flickr)
In Xataka | Cycling has always been used as a huge vindictive showcase. And that is now going back to the return
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