Overview
- La Vuelta hired social‑media creator Erola Jons to produce content for the race with the goal of reaching younger audiences on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
- A video from the opening time trial weekend in Mónaco shows Jons directing repeated flirtatious remarks at race leader Tadej Pogacar, including the line “Pogachitar, ¿por qué hiperventilas cuando me ves?”
- The clip prompted sharp criticism from sports journalists and columnists who described the comments as sexist and questioned the organisation's vetting of on‑air talent.
- Despite the backlash, Jons remains on assignment covering the race and has publicly celebrated the attention, a choice that has kept the episode in the headlines.
- The episode highlights a larger tension for cycling organisers and broadcasters between experimenting with influencer marketing to grow audiences and protecting the sport's reputation and standards for athlete treatment.