"I ran along the barriers to ensure that no one was injured": Tour protestor handed just a "warning" for his escapade

The 2025 season was, besides many outstanding cycling performances, also tainted by the many political protests for which cycling races have unfortunately served as a perfect platform with its free access and limited security restrictions. Although Vuelta a Espana will be remembered mostly with cancelled finishes, climbs and even entire stages, Tour de France didn't walk away scratch-free either.

Amidst the on-going war in Gaza between Palestine and Israel, many self-proclaimed activists gathered around courses of the world's biggest and most medialized races to share their message of disagreement over Israel - Premier Tech's participation to the world.

We shall respect opinion of those who have done so peacefully, at the side of the road, without interferring with on-going races, nor threatening the safety of professional cyclists. Unfortunately some individuals are willing to cross the line of common sense in attempt to get their message across.

Such as the case during Tour de France stage 11. As Jonas Abrahamsen and Mauro Schmid cross swords in a life-and-death 500m sprint duel to the line, a French student run onto the course next to the two riders with "Israel out of the Tour" written on his T-shirt. Extinction Rebellion Toulouse claimed credit for the action.

As reported in regional French newspaper La Dépêche, the student was handed the punishment for trespassing at a sports venue after a hearing on Tuesday. The 26-year-old activist told the court: "I made sure to check on the screen that the runners were far enough apart. I ran along the barriers to ensure that no one was injured. I used to be an athlete: I know how essential safety is..."

His reasoning remains unchanged: "I wanted to denounce the fact that a team proclaiming itself an ambassador of Israel was allowed to participate in the Tour de France."

The prosecution highlighted the dangerousness of his actions and requested a €500 fine and a two-year ban from sports venues for the protestor: "Bursting at full speed into a runner's field of vision is a real danger. Freedom of expression cannot take precedence over safety."

The lawyer for the defence, Claire Dujardin, said: "In Spain, the public can display banners and placards; in France, a symbolic gesture is penalised. My client did not disturb public order or the course of the race."

"Politically speaking, that objective [raising the message] was reached," the accused said. "The idea was to get people talking about the people of Gaza and what is going on there." He was found guilty and received a "warning", according to the judge.

The outcome of Sylvan Adams and Israel respectively pulling out from the sponsoring of the team probably cannot be credited to this single act of rebellion, but it's certain that there will no more be Israeli team-flags in the peloton as Israel - Premier Tech rebranded to NSN Cycling Team for 2026.

Separately, earlier this year, the man who rode across the finish line of stage 17 of the Tour de France and was promptly taken out by a policeman was handed an eight month suspended sentence. This was thought to be a publicity stunt rather than an act of protest.