Sport without a definitive result is very strange but these times are far from normal. After the start of the Vuelta a España’s 11th stage was the latest major cycling race to be disrupted by pro-Palestinian human rights protesters, race organisers took the decision to neutralise the finish as it became clear the finish line in Bilbao could be targeted.
It was a call made to protect the safety of the cyclists but it also potentially denied a visibly frustrated Tom Pidcock a first stage win at the Spanish Grand Tour. The Briton attacked on the final climb and achieved the rare feat of troubling Jonas Vingegaard, the man in the leader’s red jersey, but the battle was not allowed to reach a proper conclusion.
The Dane did get back in touch with Pidcock on Alto de Pike and the pair were pulling away from the other general classification favourites on the run into Bilbao when the stage was waved off.
The riders were informed just after passing the point with 20km to go about the decision to halt the stage 3km out from the original finish line, but Pidcock was not aware of where that point was on the course and was still in race mode when the marshals flagged the leaders off.
The Q36.5 Pro Cycling rider gave a measured interview after the race, stressing that he “didn’t want to say anything political” but, having had to duck under a protester’s banner on the penultimate climb, he was keen to make the point about rider safety.
“It’s hard to describe the disappointment,” Pidcock said. “I felt like today was my day. I feel like there should always be a finish line, we’re not riding a fucking sportive, are we? It’s not easy, the Vuelta did what they could to keep us safe.
“A lot of people have held back from talking about it publicly but it is a bit scary sometimes in the peloton. I think as long as our safety is first then we can continue racing and that’s what we’re here to do. I think bike racing has got nothing to do with what is happening in other … yeah.”
Asked if he had a message for the protestors, he said: “I think putting us in danger isn’t going to help your cause, that simply isn’t going to help what they’re protesting for. Everyone has the right to protest whatever they want – putting us in danger is not the way forward.”
The main target of protest is the Israel-Premier Tech team, who were stopped last week during the time trial by activists holding Palestinian flags. A stage held in the fiercely independent Basque region of Spain was always going to be a potential flashpoint, with the local political party EH Bildu calling for Israel‑Premier Tech’s withdrawal from the Vuelta in the buildup.
There have been reports that riders want Israel-Premier Tech to withdraw amid concerns over their safety, but no one has gone on the record with that demand. The Professional Cyclists’ Association released a statement after the disruption at the start of the stage, saying: “Everyone has the right to protest but this cannot be done at the expense of athletes who are doing their job.”
Calling on the Spanish security services to do “everything in their power” to ensure rider safety, the CPA statement also said: “It is unacceptable that associations, whatever their nature or motivations, should allow themselves to compromise the safety and physical integrity of athletes on the road.
“Cycling is a demanding sport that requires total dedication and superhuman effort from riders. They face extreme physical challenges on a daily basis, and it is unacceptable that external threats should add to these difficulties. The CPA will never tolerate irresponsible and dangerous actions by a minority that endanger the lives of our members.”
GC times were taken at 3km from the finish and Pidcock did take two seconds off Vingegaard by coming over the top of Alto de Pike first. The British rider moved into the podium places as Norway’s Torstein Træen (Bahrain-Victorious), who started the day second, had been dropped earlier in the stage.
Amid a week of brutal climbing for the peloton, the famous L’Angliru climb awaits the riders on stage 13 but before then Thursday features two categorised climbs, including the Collada de Brenes, a 7.7km drag at an average gradient of nearly 8%.
