Vuelta a España shortened again due to rejection of the Israeli team

▲ Dozens of people waved Palestinian flags and shouted anti-Israel slogans. Photo: AFP

Armando G. Tejeda

Correspondent

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, p. a12

Madrid. With just over eight kilometers remaining, dozens of people carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the genocide Israel is perpetrating against the people of the Gaza Strip blocked the road. The race was therefore suspended with the final stretch remaining, a demanding climb where a tough battle was expected between the breakaway group of the Vuelta a España, one of the most prestigious stage races in the world, along with the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia.

Ultimately, it was decided to shorten the route and declare the winner the cyclist in the lead at the time, Colombian Egan Bernal, who beat Spaniard Mikel Landa by just a few meters. The protesters, as has been the case in previous days, condemned the presence of the Israel Premier Tech team, financed by the Canadian billionaire businessman of Israeli origin, Sylvan Adams, a declared Zionist and enthusiastic defender of the war policy of his country's leader, Benjamin Netanyahu.

It was one of the toughest and most demanding stages of the week, traversing one of the most rugged and beautiful regions of Spain, the northwest of Galicia, over 168 kilometers and more than 3,800 meters of positive elevation gain. The challenge was extreme, and a good portion of the stage was marred by intense and incessant rain, forcing the cyclists to exercise extreme caution, especially on the very fast descents with relentless, twisting curves.

But pro-Palestine protests were also very present throughout the route, until two dozen people blocked the narrow road at the final climb. The Vuelta's organizers decided to end the race, cancel the last eight kilometers of the climb, and declare the leader, Colombian Bernal, the winner. The general classification remained unchanged, with Jonas Vingegaard as the solid leader.

Chanting "Israel, genocidal" and "Palestine, free," protesters gathered throughout the stage, perhaps more densely in the final stretch, when the race winner was to be decided. This was also the case in Bilbao, when the final three kilometers had to be neutralized, and in Asturias, when the race was halted for a few seconds due to roadblocks.

The protesters' demands grew in response to news from the Gaza Strip, of Israel's incessant bombing and orders to evacuate the city in the face of its imminent destruction.

▲ The Guadalajara team gave Mexico its best-ever result in this sport in South Korea. Photo: World Archery

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, p. a12

When Maya Becerra shoots an arrow, her aim is usually spot on. So much so that, in 2024, the Mexican archer received World Archery's distinction as the season's top ten shooter.

Yesterday, at the World Championships, the Guadalajara native hit the bull's-eye again, becoming world champion in compound bows and giving our country its best result in individual history.

“In the end, it was really hard and I could barely see, so I just hoped for the best. I prayed to God or whoever answered to give me a good arrow, and in the end, it worked out,” he said.

In Gwangju, South Korea, Maya defeated Salvadoran Sofía Paiz 147-146 in a rainy duel. It was her third medal, and she also took the podium in the mixed compound archery (bronze) and women's team (gold).

"I was actually a little nervous during the final rounds, but I managed to overcome my insecurities and defeat a very talented opponent. It's been a spectacular season for me," she said.

The 25-year-old athlete made good on her status as world number one and claimed the gold medal that had eluded her in previous years. Becerra won bronze at the 2021 Yankton Games and improved on her performance at the 2023 Berlin Games by taking silver. Yesterday, she finally reached the top of the podium.

“The key is perseverance, never losing sight of your goals, even if things don't go the way you want.”

In the quarterfinals, the Jalisco native defeated fellow Mexican Mariana Bernal, in the semifinals she defeated Colombian Alejandra Usquiano (bronze) and in the gold medal match she defeated the Salvadoran.

Becerra's success is the product of more than a decade of work. Her career began to take off in 2019 when she won the World University Games, and she hasn't stopped shining since.

The Mexican has accumulated six gold medals so far this season. She won two medals at the 2025 World Games, one individual and one silver for the mixed team, as well as six medals at the World Outdoor Archery Championships between 2021 and 2025. Her contribution has been key to our country's continued dominance in the sport.

The future looks promising for the Jalisco-born archer, especially with her eyes set on Los Angeles 2028, where the sport will debut in the mixed team category.

“I wish there were more events, but it's just a start. We have a lot of work to do to ensure our debut is a podium finish. We're really excited to participate in an event that's a dream for any athlete.”

“I always knew I wanted to be the best, not only in Mexico, but in the world,” she said in her early years as a national team player.

To date, our country has won three medals at the world competition; Maya has participated in all of them.

The Guadalajara native will look to close out her brilliant season with a flourish in the World Cup final, a tournament taking place from October 17-19 in Nanjing, China.

▲ With a penalty goal from Enner Valencia (13), Ecuador took advantage of Lionel Messi's absence and beat Argentina 1-0 in a duel between teams already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. In El Alto, Bolivia made the most of its high altitude stronghold by beating Brazil 1-0. With Venezuela's defeat to Colombia (6-3), La Verde secured a ticket to the playoff that will decide the last two spots in the World Cup. Photo AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, p. a35