Spain's capacity to host significant international sporting events is thrown into doubt by Vuelta a España protests, according to UCI
The 2025 Vuelta a España ended in an unprecedented manner, with the final stage in Madrid being abandoned due to protests. The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, supported these protests, a move that has sparked controversy and criticism from the UCI, cycling's governing body.
The UCI has expressed concern about the recent protests, stating they call into question Spain's ability to host major international sporting events. The organisation strongly condemns the exploitation of sport for political purposes and believes that sport must remain autonomous to fulfil its role as a tool for peace.
Prime Minister Sánchez has expressed admiration for those who protested peacefully, but his stance has been met with sharp criticism from the UCI. The UCI regrets the support from the Spanish government for actions that could hinder the smooth running of the Vuelta.
The latest edition of the Vuelta was won by Visma-Lease a Bike's Jonas Vingegaard. However, the controversy surrounding the protests overshadowed his victory. No stage result was declared on stages 11 and 21, and the race route was shortened on stages 16 and 18 due to the protests.
Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators attended the race's final stage, with two people being arrested during the protests and clashes between protestors and police officers. The UCI's full statement regarding the Vuelta can be found on its website.
The UCI reaffirms its call for dialogue and peace, stating that sport must unite, never divide. The organisation will host its annual congress next week, with representatives from the Palestinian, Israeli, Russian, and Ukrainian federations present.
This is not the first time the Spanish government has been involved in a controversy related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Sánchez has spoken of a "double standard" in the international community's response to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. He has expressed concern about Israel using international platforms to whitewash its presence in sports.
No bans have been put in place against Israeli teams by the UCI. However, since the opening week of the Vuelta, activists campaigned against the inclusion of Israel-Premier Tech, a team registered in Israel.
As the dust settles on the 2025 Vuelta a España, attention now turns to the future. Barcelona is set to host the Grand Départ of the 2026 Tour de France, a testament to Spain's continued commitment to hosting major international sporting events.
The UCI believes that sport must remain a platform for peace and unity, and it will be interesting to see how the Spanish government navigates this complex issue in the lead-up to the 2026 Tour de France.
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