Vuelta (Tour of Spain): the technical director believes that the withdrawal of Israel-Prime Tech is “the only solution”

In an interview published this Wednesday by The teamthe technical director of the Vuelta says that ” The only solution for the race to regain its calm is the withdrawal of the Israel-Prime Tech team ». However, he points out that this decision “Do not fall under the organizers but from the UCI”. “At a certain point, someone will have to measure whether to protect an international race like Vuelta or protect a team,” he said, while the 11ᵉ step in Bilbao was disrupted by a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

He explains that he alerted the UCI “Even before the race in Spain” arrives “ on the risks of protest, but adds that “So far, no change has been decided”. According to him, the priority remains “The safety of runners, teams and the public”. The manager finally insists on the limits of his role: “We cannot make the decision to exclude a team. Our obligation is to protect the race and the show. »»

Beyond the sporting framework, and faced with the magnitude of the demonstrations denouncing the genocide in Gaza, this controversy illustrates the growing anger in the face of the normalization of a team bearing the name of Israel, while the Hebrew State is accused of committing a genocide. Mobilizations in the Basque Country recall that, for part of public opinion, it is no longer possible to separate sport from mass crimes charged to Israel.