Vingegaard voices concern over Vuelta protests - 'I hope we can keep racing'
Team Visma | Lease a Bike controlled stage 11 of the Vuelta a España before the final 3km were neutralised over concerns that activists protesting Israel-Premier Tech’s presence posed a security risk. The team still gained valuable bonus seconds on João Almeida, though the stage was ultimately overshadowed by the extraordinary circumstances and the questions it raises for the rest of the race.
"Going for a stage win was the game plan," Campenaerts told Eurosport after stage 11, explaining the team's aggressive strategy throughout the day despite challenging Basque terrain.
Dylan van Baarle and Wilco Kelderman led the pacing duties from the start, quickly establishing control as three riders formed an early breakaway. Their teammates' efforts proved crucial in managing the race situation before the neutralisation which occurred due to protests at the finish line in Bilbao.
"Dylan [van Baarle] and Wilco [Kelderman] did an amazing job. They were pacing from the start," Campenaerts noted. "Three good riders went up the road, but quite soon they realised this will not happen today."
Riders received notification about the neutralisation approximately 10km before entering the final circuit with the general classification times taken 3km from the line. Despite the lack of a stage result, Campenaerts remained positive about the team's performance on the day.
"It's unfortunate, we'd like to have a result, but the work was not for nothing," he said. "There are GC gaps taken." Tom Pidcock was the biggest gainer on the neutralised stage, moving onto the GC podium after a vicious attack. Jonas Vingegaard followed his wheel, adding 12 seconds to his advantage over Almeida.
Speaking to Eurosport, Jonas Vingegaard said about the neutralisation:, "I was a bit disappointed when I heard the news that we had to finish with 3km to go," Vingegaard explained after the stage. "I didn't want to do anything, but then Tom [Pidcock] went for it and went really fast on the climb."
Vingegaard also revealed there was some confusion during the finale, as he knew about the modified finish line while Pidcock apparently didn't. "I'm not sure Tom knew there wouldn't be a stage winner because he wanted to keep going afterward," said Vingegaard. "I just went as fast as possible to the 3km mark and then stopped."
Despite the looming threat along the route, Vingegaard said he did not notice too much of the unrest. "To be honest, I think the police did a good job today. The first time we passed the finish line, we already saw demonstrators trying to get onto the road. The police managed to stop them there. And on the penultimate climb they (pro-Palestinian demonstrators) tried to block us, but we could pass them quite easily. Apart from that, I didn’t really feel unsafe."
In an interview with TV2, the red jersey leader expanded on the protest actions. "This may well have been the last time we had a stage winner in this Vuelta," he openly speculated. "It is unpredictable what will happen in the coming days. I hope we can keep racing, because this is the wrong place for them to try to protest. What do they want from us as cyclists? I can’t do anything at all," the Dane concluded.
