‘Hostile and unpleasant’ - Hoole describes escalating Vuelta protests
Lidl-Trek rider Daan Hoole described the ongoing protests at the Vuelta a España from inside the peloton, with the escalation in risk to the riders' safety
Daan Hoole (Lidl-Trek) described how pro-Palestine protests at the Vuelta a España are becoming increasingly hostile, with protestors throwing thumbtacks and attempting to run into the peloton during the shortened stage 16 on Tuesday in Galicia.
"It's becoming increasingly hostile and unpleasant," Hoole told NOS after the finish of the shortened sixteenth stage, which saw the race organisers halt the stage with 8km remaining, following stage 11 with a shortened stage due to the protests.
Hoole spoke about witnessing the protests first-hand, understanding the right to protest, but calling for a safe manner.
"I think they have every right to protest, but of course, it has to be done safely and responsibly. It started with a lot of people along the roadside with flags, which is fine. It's their right to demonstrate," Hoole explained.
However, the situation has quickly escalated, with the riders' safety in jeopardy. "In the neutralised first kilometres, they were throwing thumbtacks, causing a lot of flat tires," Hoole said. "Halfway through the stage, a few people tried to run into the peloton, but they were stopped in time by the police."
Hoole also described the feeling when riding past groups of protestors up close on the route, stating, "We've also had a few times where we rode through hordes of people and you could see the aggression in their eyes.”
Whilst understanding the reasoning for the protests and the reason for the Vuelta being the focus of the protestors, with the involvement of Israel-Premier Tech, Hoole expressed frustration with the peloton being directly impacted.
"I don't quite understand why we have to bear the brunt of this. What can we do about it at this point? Of course, there's a team participating in the Vuelta that's supported by Israel, but for the rest of the peloton, it's starting to get really bad."
Israel-Premier Tech’s participation in the race has been the focus of protests throughout the Vuelta due to Israel’s ongoing invasion of Gaza. Over 64,000 people, the vast majority of them civilians, have been killed since Israel invaded Gaza almost two years ago in response to the October 7 terrorist attacks, which killed more than 700 people.
Despite the increasingly tense atmosphere, Hoole respects the rights of the protestors, but emphasises the need for safe demonstrations.
"Not at all. I also think these people should be allowed to protest; that's their right, but it must be done safely and responsibly. I don't think this is the right way," Hoole concluded.
Stage 18's time trial in Valladolid will see a heightened security presence, with 450 police officers set to be deployed along the course. Hoole is the Dutch champion in the discipline and, having already won a time trial at the Giro d'Italia in May, will be one of the riders targeting the stage win in Valladolid on Thursday.
