Overview

• In a statement, the privately owned squad issued monogram uniforms with a large P and a star for the rest of the race, keeping the official team name unchanged.
• Race operations were affected this week, with the Bilbao finish effectively neutralised when times were taken early and no stage winner declared.
• Spanish police detained 12 people on Friday after protesters invaded the course, and smaller demonstrations were reported at stage starts including Avilés on Saturday.
• Spain’s foreign minister said he would support removing the team, and the Vuelta’s technical director urged withdrawal or UCI intervention, though organisers lack a mechanism to expel a team.
• The UCI condemned the disruptions and urged the sport not to be used for punishment, while Israel–Premier Tech said quitting would set a dangerous precedent; only one rider on its Vuelta roster is Israeli and American Matthew Riccitello sat seventh overall after 13 stages.