Vuelta a España storm on the approaches to Pogačar

The Vuelta a España organizers have decided to take action, limiting access to one of their media teams following a veritable whirlwind of controversy surrounding the content produced during the race.

Erola Jons, 28, a prominent figure on social media with over 6 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, was tasked by the race to host live broadcasts on the event's YouTube and Twitch channels, thus gaining privileged access behind the scenes.

The content that made Jons famous and dominates his social media profile revolves around him attempting to flirt with strangers in public settings, approaching men who usually react with bewilderment to his jokes, before realizing they're being filmed.

Jons, who apparently has no specific experience or expertise in cycling, continued with the same approach at one of the most important races on the circuit, going so far as to ask world champion Tadej Pogačar : "Why do you hyperventilate every time you see me?"

According to several major Spanish newspapers, the race organization has changed Jons' role following strong criticism, limiting riders' access to the event and revising its content guidelines.

"Erola Jons will no longer have access to the mixed zone, team buses, or areas where he could interact directly with the riders," reports sports daily Marca . "The Vuelta has officially requested that he adapt the tone and style of his content to the context of a top-level sporting event."

El País newspaper adds that Jons will now have to obtain permission from the teams if he wants to speak to a rider.

Cyclingnews has contacted the race organizers for an official statement on the matter.

Stage 1 and the storm that broke out

The controversy stems primarily from the live coverage of the first stage. After the opening stage, Jons went to the truck behind the podium where Pogačar was changing into his various classification jerseys for the ceremony, attempting to ask him questions loudly and bizarrely calling him "Pogachitar."

Once he got out of the truck, she asked him, "Why do you hyperventilate every time you see me?" A puzzled Pogačar replied, "What? What do you mean?" When she clarified, "Like, you're breathing hard," the rainbow jersey winner replied, "I breathe 24/7," before someone from the organization took him away.

In the same live broadcast, Jons asked a soigneur from Netcompany Ineos: "Are you here to win or to distract me? Because you're too cute."

According to several Spanish sources, he also attempted to approach Josh Tarling , telling him: "I don't think he likes interviews, especially mine, but I still have 20 stages to win him over – don't worry, I'll sort this out soon too." It's worth remembering that Tarling is racing the Vuelta a little over a week after the death of his 19-year-old brother.

Jons's content has drawn widespread criticism both within and outside the cycling world. Jons herself quipped on Sunday morning, "We've crashed the internet," referring specifically to the live broadcast of the first stage.

Journalist and writer Laura Meseguer wrote a column for El País arguing that Jons's actions risk reversing years of progress made by women trying to carve out a space for themselves in a sport long dominated by men.

“The image that emerged after the first stage was that of a woman with no knowledge of cycling and no respect for cyclists,” Meseguer wrote, wondering what the reaction would be if a male content creator had done the same at the Tour de France Femmes.

"At a time when the role of 'influencers' is being widely discussed, we need to take greater responsibility and seriously reflect on what audience we're trying to reach and at what cost. May that price not be the erosion of the progress made by women in this sector, nor the devaluation of sport or athletes in the name of entertainment and 'likes.'"

Jons continues on his running journey, and it remains to be seen how the tone of his videos will change from here on out.

Fantasy cycling insight: beyond the media controversy, the story confirms how the Vuelta is drawing attention to Pogačar, who is increasingly at the center of attention even outside of the purely sporting context. For those managing fantasy cycling teams, keeping an eye on the media landscape and the pressure surrounding the Pogačar phenomenon could prove useful for assessing any lapses in concentration or, conversely, additional motivational boosts ahead of the crucial stages.