Just hours after La Vuelta stage 11 was abandoned in the final after robust and chaotic pro-Palestine protests made the event unsafe, and the organises did not close down the idea Israel Premier Tech could withdraw, the team has decided to remain on.
Israel-Premier Tech issued a statement clarifying its position, saying it was a professional cycling team and "as such, the team remains committed to racing on at the Vuelta a España".
It confirmed an approach that is likely to result in some protestors doubling down after seeing the disruption their actions have caused and the worldwide attention they have garnered.
"Any other course of action sets a dangerous precedent in the sport of cycling not only for Israel-Premier Tech, but for all teams," the team added of its decision to remain on in the Spanish Grand Tour.
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?Momentos de tensión en el desarrollo la etapa 11 de #LaVuelta25 en Bilbao
Los manifestantes en favor de Palestina intentan interrumpir la competición https://t.co/YG2YEjFBeX pic.twitter.com/9nYgnmOVVG
— RTVE Noticias (@rtvenoticias) September 3, 2025
Just one of the moments yesterday when the organisers lost control to protestors, resulting in the stage being abandoned
"Israel-Premier Tech has repeatedly expressed its respect for everyones' right to protest, as long as those protests remain peaceful and do not compromise the safety of the peloton. The Vuelta a España race organisation and police are doing everything in their power to create a safe environment and, for that, the team is especially grateful.
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"However, the behaviour of protestors in Bilbao today was not only dangerous, but counterproductive to their cause and deprived the Basque cycling fans, some of the best cycling fans in the world, of the stage finish they deserved.
"We thank the race organisers and UCI for their continued support and cooperation, as well as the teams and riders that have expressed their support both publicly and privately and, of course, our fans."
Though the team was targeted by protestors, who ran out onto the road to block the team, during the stage 5 TTT in Figueres, the protests since then have been more general. They have targeted the whole race in an action aimed at Israel Premier Tech's participation.
And in Bilbao, in the Basque Country, yesterday - where sympathies for Palestine run deep and opposition to Israel's bombing of Gaza is very strong - the protests went into overdrive. After swarming the finish area, and breaking out onto the road several times during the stage, the presence of protestors around the finish was deemed unsafe.
As a result, the organisers abruptly ended what was a very exciting final. They halted the race with 3km to go, taking the times for general classification at that point but awarding no stage victory or any other placings and prizes for the day.
Race technical director, Kiko García, spoke to the media at stage end, after a day that shook the event, and did not close down the suggestion Israel Premier Tech may withdraw.
He also reminded journalists the team was not a wildcard invite, but was in the race automatically because it was one of the two highest-ranked ProContinental teams in pro cycling.
"We know that if there are no reactions or there are no changes in any way, then the protests will continue. As we've said, we have no choice but to follow the rules," García said.
"The team's participation is obligatory, and whoever can decide the opposite - that isn't us. Our duty is to protect the race, of course, the riders and the teams - and we're moving on that."
