The war in the Middle East reaches cycling: The anger of the protesters ignites at the Vuelta against the Israel Premier Tech team

Sport is not insulated from the global political situation. The Vuelta a España is experiencing this these days. Thousands of demonstrators blocked the course of the eleventh stage of the Vuelta a España in Bilbao on Wednesday. It was originally planned as a cycling festival. Basque fans are known for their passionate cheering.

The colors of the Ikurriña, the Basque flag, also appeared in abundance, albeit in an unusual combination. The red, green, and white of the Basques were joined by black – several hundred Palestinian flags, some of them enormous, flew alongside the finish line.

The chants calling for “Freedom for Palestine” and accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza also drowned out the speaker’s announcements, even though the latter were amplified.

There were so many of them, and they found such collective strength, that during their first crossing of the finish line in Bilbao, some of them even broke through the barriers. "We were a bit scared, the demonstrators were standing on the road, and we didn't know what would happen next," said Spanish Cofidis rider Jesús Herrada. Police did stop the protesters by forming a protective lane through which the peloton could ride.

It also seemed as if the respect for the riders was great enough that they wouldn't be physically attacked. But at that moment, no one could guarantee that. Therefore, the organizers canceled the second and final finish. There was no battle for the stage victory. The jersey wearers weren't honored either.

"It was the right decision. The organizers are doing a good job," said German professional cyclist Maximilian Schachmann, who lives in Switzerland. But the Berlin native also drew a sarcastic conclusion: "Now, people aren't just looking at traffic islands and the race situation, but also at barricades on the road."

The protests were sparked by the participation of the Israeli team Israel Premier Tech in the tour. The team was founded five years ago as Israel Start-Up Nation. Owner and financier Sylvan Adams described the team as an ambassador for a good Israel, for the only democracy in the Middle East and its pluralistic society.

But the war in the Middle East has changed the situation. This affects the country's reputation throughout the world. And it also affects the cycling team, which continues to bear Israel in its name. The team was only able to participate in the Tour de France thanks to special police protection. At the Vuelta a España, too, police officers are always close to the bus and accompany it to the hotel.

Under pressure from the protests, the team itself has changed its appearance. The "Israel" lettering has been removed from the vehicles. The drivers are also staying away from the official team presentation. They are registering for the race somewhere, away from the public eye. The goal is obvious: Israel Premier Tech wants to offer as few points of attack as possible.

One driving force behind the protests in Spain is the Izquierda Unida (United Left) party. At the very beginning of the Vuelta, they called for the exclusion of the Israeli team in a parliamentary debate. They justified this with the events in Gaza, on the one hand, and the fact that some of the Vuelta's major sponsors receive public funding, on the other.

The Vuelta organizers, however, find themselves in a dilemma. "We are following the UCI regulations. And these stipulate that we must guarantee Israel Premier Tech's participation," said Vuelta Technical Director Kiko Garcia. The UCI emphasized the political neutrality of sport. And Israel Premier Tech itself sees a withdrawal, which has found some support at the Vuelta, as a "dangerous precedent." The team will continue despite the scandal in Bilbao.

The situation is complicated. "I think it's completely legitimate and good to show our colors. But it's also about doing it peacefully and without hatred toward anyone," said Schachmann, who, as a Quick Step rider, is not affected. Addressing the demonstrators, he said: "Ultimately, hatred doesn't help anyone in the world. Rather, it triggers a great deal of resentment, suffering, and war." He also called on politicians to resolve this political crisis.

After Wednesday's excitement, calm returned on Thursday. No protesters were to be seen in Laredo, the starting point of the twelfth stage. The Israel Premier Tech bus was parked among the other team buses. A police officer on guard yawned in boredom.

The rumor of death threats against the team, which had spread rapidly after an interview with sporting director Oscar Guerrero, also seemed to have dissipated. "I don't know of any rider who has received such a threat, nor of any reports to the police regarding such a matter," said a team spokeswoman.

Nevertheless, the protests could continue. The regional organization of the United Left in Cantabria has announced further actions for the two stages taking place in this region.