'I don't understand the hypocrisy' - Bilbao criticises UCI over inconsistent bans
The Bahrain-Victorious rider has been vocal about the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) has accused the UCI of double standards and a lack of consistency for allowing Israel-Premier Tech to continue racing while previously banning the Russian squad Gazprom following the nation’s invasion of Ukraine.
"I don't understand the hypocrisy of the UCI when they made a different decision with the Russian Gazprom. I don't understand the difference. Why do some yes and others no?,” said Bilbao, speaking to El Periódico.
Bilbao’s comments follow pro-Palestine protests that were prevalent during the recent Vuelta a España. The former Giro d’Italia and Tour de France stage winner believes that the relevant authorities should have anticipated and prevented the incidents.
"If a decision had been made before starting the Vuelta, the protests could have been avoided. But those who had the power to do it must have done it," Bilbao said. "I understand that Unipublic, as an organiser, is not the entity that should do it. But, on the contrary, it could have been decided by the race judges, the UCI or the Government itself."
The 35-year-old has been vocal on the issue and has regularly used social media to highlight the conflict in Gaza.
"I am quite radical on this issue, and I have been giving visibility to the Gaza genocide for a long time. I have published many things on social networks, so, really, it seemed strange to me that no one asked me about the subject," Bilbao explained.
Despite Bilbao’s strong stance, he admitted the difficulty of his position, acknowledging his personal connections with people involved in the Israel-Premier Tech team.
"It's not easy for me to have an opinion on this issue and say that I want Israel Premier Tech out of the peloton when I have former teammates and people I know in there with whom I get along well, and I know they work hard on the team. It's a very complicated situation, and they suffer too," he admitted.
Rather than condemning the protests that disrupted La Vuelta, Bilbao expressed appreciation for those raising awareness about Gaza.
"I think that thank goodness there are people who have awareness and make this problem visible because innocent people are dying in Gaza, including children and journalists," he said.
The Bahrain rider also suggested his outspoken position is shared by many colleagues who remain silent on the issue.
"Maybe they are not as radical as I am, but in the peloton, there are many comrades who think the same. I would say it's the majority, but no one says it as clearly as I do."
Reflecting on recent events at the Spanish Grand Tour, Bilbao highlighted cycling's vulnerability to protest actions.
"Everything that has happened in the Vuelta serves to show the weakness of cycling. We run in the open field, and it is impossible to control a race that travels kilometres and more kilometres, so it's very easy to boycott it," he concluded.
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 1,200 people.
