"They called me a murderer, spat at me and kicked the car" - Israel - Premier Tech DS reveals abuse on riders and tears after La Vuelta TTT

The Vuelta a Espana 2025 experienced an episode involving Israel - Premier Tech in the team time trial of stage 5 that came as a shock. The squad had to stop in the middle of the time trial due to protests by pro-Palestinian demonstrators. The team was ultimately given 15 seconds back from the day's time, but the road block left marks on the riders as said by the team's sports director.

The Spanish sports director of Israel - Premier Tech, Oscar Guerrero, who is in the Vuelta a España and was in the car during the time trial, offered a few words to COPE to explain everything that happened and the current situation that is handled within the Israeli team.

"I was right behind the riders in the team time-trial," he began. "We were all very focused from the start. We took the first corner and there were already all the riders lined up at 60, 65 km/h. Thank God we saw them as they came out, and that there was a safe distance to warn them to brake and at least not to have an accident".

"In that sense we were a bit lucky, but of course, 3 riders were forced to stop, including Matthew Riccitello, who is our leader. We had to wait for him, because it wasn't just a matter of stopping there. We had to wait 1 kilometer until the last riders could get back into the group to restart and pick up the pace,"Guerrero explained.

During the statements, Oscar Guerrero also revealed that one of the Israel - Premier Tech riders was very affected by what happened. The sports director revealed that he spent a long time crying in the room because of the helplessness he felt, and that he might quit if something similar happens again.

"The fans insult us constantly. I'm from Navarre, and for example in last year's Clásica de San Sebastián I had a very bad time because they called me a murderer, spat at me and kicked the car. We have also talked about this with the riders. Many times, when they make the corridor to the presentation, there are people who insult and spit on them".

"People have to understand that the rider should not be assaulted. After the team time trial a rider from our team was crying for half an hour in the hotel room because of the security and helplessness he feels. Despite being 1.90 meters tall and a man (most likely either Marco Frigo or Ethan Vernon, ed.), he could hardly breathe because of the crying and the fear he has because he does not feel safe. If it happens again, he doesn't think he will be able to overcome it and will have to abandon the Vuelta a España. It's very hard.

The team's backing from the state of Israel and owner Sylvan Adams bring the team under fire constantly, and now with more frequency there is action taken on the riders during races. However, Guerrero's statements make it clear that the riders and staff endure much more than what the TV cameras.

"It's true that we are delighted with the police. Before the team time trial we had a previous meeting with them, talking about the protocol and how they were going to do it. But we knew this could happen because it is very difficult in such an open circuit to control everything. They were hiding, they showed up at the last second and security couldn't do much."

"We have a 'Mossos d'Escuadra' car in the hotel with two members who keep watch during the night. In Italy we also had it, but it is true that this happened even before the war between Israel and Palestine. I think it is a protocol of the governments. But it is true that in this Vuelta a España and last year we have been offered this protection and we have been calm," he concluded.