Vuelta guest influencer controversy - Organisers will keep content creator at race despite backlash as they make one key change to role
Cycling
Following backlash around a heavily-criticised clip of a race organisation-hired influencer's treatment of Tadej Pogacar, the content creator will remain with the Vuelta a Espana for rest of the race.
Erola Jons, an influencer with 3.2 million followers on Instagram, that was granted access to the restricted area, where she was also given a microphone by the race organizers to create content.
In a clip on social media, Jons was close to Tadej Pogacar and appeared to use the expression 'Pogachita' to call the attention of the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider.
After Pogacar walked towards her, she asked the question 'why do you hyperventilate everytime you see me?' The question caught the red jersey off guard, who was stunned in response. The clips have garnered heavy criticism, including backlash from Spanish journalist Laura Meseguer as the subject of appropriate media contact with riders were brought into question.
Erola Jons will remain with race
According to MARCA, the content creator will remain with the race until its finish in Granada. However, they are addressing the backlash by making two changes to her content. Firstly, she will now no longer have access to riders.
The Spanish publication reports that she will not be at mixed zones, team zones, and checkpoints where she will have contact with the riders. Secondly, the style and manner of the content has been requested to change - reportedly to better fit the context of a top-level sporting event.
In the report, it stated that organisers believe that the role of an influencer to engage young people in the sport can be combined with traditional journalism and press as it defended its decision to bring in Jons.
Laura Meseguer, on Instagram, wrote a comment that severely criticised the actions of Jons and also the decision to have her in the race in that role.
Laura Meseguer slams 'sexist comments'
"Many women have spent years fighting to expand our space in a male-dominated sport, so that we are treated with respect and have the same opportunities as everyone else," Meseguer wrote.
"It is a serious mistake to hire someone with absolutely no knowledge of the sport, whose content will be based on this series of sexist comments that we women have been trying to escape from for decades!!!"
"It is a lack of respect towards us, towards the female professionals working here and, above all, towards the cyclists. No one should have to put up with being treated like an object, neither women nor men."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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