Spain's La Vuelta Cycling Tour: Israel Protests

The Tour of Spain (La Vuelta) was held from 23 August to 14 September 2025. The race is the third largest in road cycling after the Tours of Italy and France. The 2025 edition attracted widespread protests due to the participation of the Israeli team Israel-Premier Tech. The protests emerged primarily in response to Israel’s policies and military actions in Gaza.

Origins and Spread of the Protests

Anti-Israel demonstrations began on 27 August 2025, when the tour entered Spain, and continued at every stage. Protesters unfurled Palestinian flags, carried banners reading “No to genocide,” and chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine.” In some stages, protesters attempted to block the route by felling trees to obstruct the cyclists’ passage.

Impact on the Stages

Due to the protests, changes were made to the race routes.

• On Stage 16, the route was shortened by approximately 8 kilometers because of the demonstrations.
• On Stage 18 in Valladolid, the individual time trial, originally planned to be 27.5 kilometers, was reduced to 12 kilometers for security reasons.

In some stages, the race was terminated before reaching the finish line, and one rider was recorded as having fallen during the protests.

Security Measures

Due to the intensity of the demonstrations, extensive security measures were implemented throughout the race. Each cyclist was escorted by motorcycle-mounted civil guards, and riders from Israel-Premier Tech were provided with double security coverage when entering the course. In Valladolid, police detained several demonstrators.

Team and Management Responses

The owner of the Israeli team, Sylvan Adams, has been identified as a business associate closely linked to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Under pressure, the team removed the word “Israel” from its riders’ jerseys in some stages, but reinstated it during the Valladolid stage.

Political and Legal Repercussions

The protests also elicited responses in the political arena.

• Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albares, expressed support for removing the team from the race.
• Minister of Youth and Children, Sira Rego, endorsed the protesters and announced plans to file charges against police interventions.
• Political parties such as Podemos and various civil society organizations called on the public to mobilize “in solidarity against Israel.”

In addition, initiatives have been launched at Spain’s National Court to pursue legal action alleging that a hate crime was committed against the Israeli team during the protests.

Boycott and Sanction Calls

Pro-Palestinian civil society organizations launched an initiative called the “Sport Boycott of Israel Platform,” calling for Israel’s exclusion from international competitions.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a nine-point sanctions package targeting Israel’s actions in Gaza, describing these actions as “the destruction of a defenseless population.”

International and Athlete Responses

Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard, one of the leading riders in La Vuelta, publicly expressed his support for the protesters and emphasized the importance of these actions receiving media attention.

Uncertainty arose over whether the race would be completed, as a large demonstration was anticipated ahead of the final stage, scheduled to take place in Madrid. The Madrid City Council deployed more than 2,000 police and civil guard personnel to ensure security.