Spain’s Marc Soler delivered a masterclass in mountain climbing on September 6, 2025, as he powered away from his rivals to claim victory on stage 14 of the Vuelta a Espana. The summit finish at Farrapona in northern Spain proved to be the perfect stage for Soler, who crossed the line alone, arms aloft, to secure his fourth career stage win at his home Grand Tour. The Spanish rider’s triumph came at the end of a grueling 139.5km ride from Avilés, featuring punishing climbs and relentless attacks among the favorites.
Behind Soler, the general classification battle intensified. Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard, riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, finished second on the stage, 39 seconds adrift, but crucially managed to edge out his closest overall rival, Joao Almeida of Portugal, who finished third with the same time as Vingegaard. This result allowed Vingegaard to extend his lead in the red jersey competition by a further two seconds, a small but significant margin as the race heads into its decisive final week.
Great Britain’s Tom Pidcock, representing Q36.5 Pro Cycling, finished eighth on the stage and retained his third place in the overall standings. However, Pidcock conceded another 10 seconds to Australia’s Jai Hindley, who finished fourth on the day and continues to close the gap in the battle for the podium. "I lost a bit more time, but I’m getting better and better at these longer efforts," Pidcock told reporters, reflecting the resilience and determination he’s shown throughout the race.
Yet, the sporting drama on the road has been matched—if not overshadowed—by events off it. The Israel-Premier Tech team, the only WorldTour squad with Israeli ownership, found themselves at the center of a political storm that has swept through the Vuelta a Espana. Amid repeated and escalating pro-Palestinian protests, the team made the unprecedented decision to remove its full name from riders’ jerseys for the remainder of the race. Instead, their blue kits now display only a large P and a star, a branding choice previously used on the team’s vehicles and casual clothing.
"In the interest of prioritizing the safety of our riders and the entire peloton, in light of the dangerous nature of some protests at the Vuelta, Israel-Premier Tech has issued riders with team monogram-branded kit for the remainder of the race," the team announced on Saturday. "The team name remains Israel-Premier Tech, but the monogram kit now aligns with the branding decisions we have previously adopted for our vehicles and casual clothing."
This change came after a tumultuous week. Stage 11 in Bilbao ended prematurely with no winner declared, as police struggled to contain hundreds of flag-waving pro-Palestinian protesters who had invaded the course. Just days later, on September 5, Spanish police detained 12 people who had blocked the road with a pro-Palestinian banner, halting the lead riders until authorities intervened. The Israel-Premier Tech team had already been targeted earlier in the race, most notably during the team time trial in Figueres, where activists forced the squad to a near halt.
The protests stem from ongoing tensions following the Israeli military’s campaign in Gaza, launched in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, at least 64,231 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since then, with the conflict continuing to cast a long shadow over international events such as the Vuelta.
Spain’s political climate has further complicated matters for Israel-Premier Tech. Spaniards and the Spanish government are widely sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and critical of Israel’s military actions. In May, the Spanish government, alongside Ireland and Norway, formally recognized Palestinian statehood—a move that drew condemnation from Israel and celebration among Palestinians. Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated on September 5, 2025, that he would "understand and be in favor" of the team being removed from the race, although he acknowledged that the government lacks the authority to enforce such a decision.
Race organizers and the UCI, cycling’s governing body, have condemned the disruptions but stopped short of removing the team. Kiko Garcia, the Vuelta’s technical director, admitted there was a risk of further protests if Israel-Premier Tech continued, but the team’s management remained resolute. "Dropping out of the race would set a dangerous precedent," the team insisted, emphasizing their commitment to both rider safety and the right to compete.
American Matthew Riccitello, the best-placed Israel-Premier Tech rider, finished seventh on stage 14 and sits seventh overall, just under five minutes behind Vingegaard. Riccitello’s performance has been a bright spot for the embattled squad, which fields only one Israeli rider in this year’s edition. Team co-owner Sylvan Adams, who has described himself as the "self-appointed Ambassador at large for the state of Israel," has been vocal in his support for the team’s decision to stay in the race. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also weighed in, posting on X: "Great job to Sylvan [Adams] and Israel’s cycling team for not giving in to hate and intimidation. You make Israel proud!"
The riders themselves have been caught in the crossfire, expressing mounting concern for their safety. Tom Pidcock, among others, voiced his frustration after the neutralized stage 11: "Putting us in danger isn’t going to help your cause. That simply isn’t going to help what they’re protesting for. Everyone’s got a right to protest whatever they want, but putting us in danger is not the way forward." The Professional Cyclists’ Association has called for increased security at the Vuelta, and race organizers have met with rider representatives in an effort to address safety concerns.
Despite the disruptions, the race presses on. The Vuelta continues on September 7 with stage 15—a 168km medium-mountain trek from A Veiga to Vegadeo. With the general classification still very much in play and the specter of further protests looming, all eyes remain fixed on both the road and the headlines. Can Vingegaard defend his slender lead? Will Soler’s victory spark a late surge up the standings? And how will the peloton navigate the complex intersection of sport and politics in the days ahead?
As the Vuelta a Espana enters its decisive final stages, the drama shows no signs of abating—on or off the bike. The riders, teams, and organizers are all bracing for whatever comes next, determined to see the race through to its conclusion, no matter the obstacles in their path.
