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Vuelta Continues After Protest‑Shortened Stage as Israel–Premier Tech Stays in Race

Race officials warn that rider safety is at risk after Bilbao unrest, with calls for Israel–Premier Tech to withdraw rejected by the team.

Cycling - Vuelta a Espana - Stage 11 - Bilbao to Bilbao - Bilbao, Spain - September 3, 2025 EF Education - Easypost's Jardi Christiaan Van Der Lee in action with riders during stage 11 REUTERS/Pankra Nieto
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Cycling - Vuelta a Espana - Stage 11 - Bilbao to Bilbao - Bilbao, Spain - September 3, 2025 Protesters with the flag of Palestine during stage 11 REUTERS/Pankra Nieto

Overview

  • Organisers neutralised stage 11 in Bilbao by taking times at 3 km to go and declared no stage winner after pro‑Palestinian protesters threatened the finish area.
  • Tom Pidcock and Jonas Vingegaard reached the premature finish first, with Pidcock gaining six bonus seconds to climb to third overall.
  • Vuelta technical director Kiko García urged the Israel–Premier Tech squad to consider leaving for the peloton’s safety, though organisers say they cannot force a withdrawal.
  • Israel–Premier Tech said it will continue, calling withdrawal a dangerous precedent, as the UCI condemned the protests and reiterated the principle of political neutrality in sport.
  • Racing resumed on stage 12 without incident with Juan Ayuso taking the win, and AFP reported a brief stoppage on Friday as protests and security concerns continue along the route.