The International Cycling Union (UCI) has issued a strong statement in which it strongly condemns the politicization of La Vuelta a España during its 90th edition, directly pointing the finger at the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, for his alleged permissive attitude towards the protests that interrupted the competition.

The riots in Madrid, where there were moments of tension between protesters and police, prompted a response from the world cycling body. The UCI expressed its deep concern about the events, which included activists storming onto the road, symbolic attacks such as urine being thrown at riders, and deliberate crashes that disrupted the normal running of the race, even forcing riders like Javier Romo to retire.

They regret that Pedro Sánchez has supported the protesters

But what has raised the organization's alarm bells the most was the Spanish government's apparent support for the protesters. In its statement, the UCI regrets that the Spanish Prime Minister and his team have supported actions taken within the framework of a sporting competition that could hinder its smooth running, emphasizing that some members of the executive branch even went so far as to express their admiration for the protesters.

The instrumentalization of sport for political purposes is unacceptable, the organization asserted. In this regard, the UCI emphasized that sport must remain free from ideological conflicts and be a tool at the service of peace, in line with the principles of the Olympic Charter.

They question whether Spain is in a position to host international events.

The seriousness of the events has led the institution to question whether Spain is fit to host major international events. This type of incident calls into question the country's ability to guarantee safety and the development of competitions in an environment of respect and neutrality, the statement warns.

Faced with this situation, the UCI also took the opportunity to congratulate both the organizers of La Vuelta and the State Security Forces for their actions in the face of a complex situation. However, it insists that the institutional commitment must be clear and firm in defending sporting values.

The UCI maintains that it cannot become a battlefield for political debates. They urge that disagreements between states and citizens be resolved through appropriate channels, respecting the spaces for coexistence that sport offers.