"Pello Bilbao voices concern over UCI's contradictory stance; he asserts that the events in Gazaconstitute genocide, following protests during Vuelta a Espana"
Pello Bilbao, a rider for Bahrain Victorious, has raised concerns about the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and its handling of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
Bilbao, who participated in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Montréal, as well as the Vuelta a España this year, has accused the UCI of hypocrisy, following disruptions at the Vuelta a España.
The Spanish rider believes that the UCI may view the removal of Israel and Sylvan Adams from the team, while allowing Premier Tech to remain as the Canadian squad, as a compromise. This stance is in stark contrast to the UCI's decision regarding the Russian Gazprom team, which was banned from competition after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Bilbao supports Pro-Palestinian protests that disrupted the Vuelta a España, particularly stage 21, and failed to finish in central Madrid. He finds it difficult to advocate for the removal of Israel-Premier Tech from the peloton due to personal relationships with riders and staff on the team.
The disruptions at the Vuelta a España have led Bilbao to question the UCI's ability to control open-road races. He suggests that the UCI and the government should have anticipated and prevented the protests, which he believes demonstrate the weakness of cycling in this regard.
Bilbao is not alone in his opinions. He believes that many riders share his views about the situation in Gaza but are afraid to speak out. Michal Kwiatkowski was one of the few riders to speak out, warning that future protests could escalate.
The situation in Gaza has been a subject of international concern. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 64,000 people have been killed by Israeli attacks, with much of Gaza being destroyed. A UN commission of inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Bilbao has a 'Stop Genocide on Gaza' post pinned to his Instagram account and considers the events in Gaza as genocide. He agrees with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has called for Israel to be banned from competing in international sports.
Bilbao expresses gratitude towards protesters who risk their lives to deliver food and break the blockade of Palestine. As of now, no international cycling teams or countries have been disciplined by the UCI specifically due to actions of Israel in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to be a contentious issue, with Bilbao's statements indicating a divide among riders regarding their willingness to speak out about the situation. The UCI has yet to comment on the matter.
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