Pello Bilbao doesn't mince his words, openly accusing the UCI of hypocrisy in its handling of the Israel-Premier Tech issue and the conflict in Gaza. The Basque rider from Bahrain, Victorious, who keeps a post pinned on his Instagram account that says "Stop Genocide in Gaza," expressed deep concern about the situation in the Palestinian territory.

"I don't understand why we're waiting to call a spade a spade. What's happening in Gaza is genocide, and I've thought so for a long time," Bilbao said in an interview with El Periódico. "Fortunately, more and more people are now aware of it. The Spanish government was among the first to report it to the European Union."

The Basque rider highlighted what he sees as a contradiction in the UCI's approach: "It's a very complicated situation. I have former teammates and acquaintances on the Israel-Premier Tech team with whom I have excellent relationships. But I don't understand the UCI's hypocrisy in making a different decision with the Russian team Gazprom. I don't understand this difference in treatment."

Regarding the pro-Palestine protests that marked the last Vuelta a España, Bilbao expressed his support for the demonstrators: "We must make our voices heard and thank those who take to the streets or risk their lives to bring aid and break the blockade of Palestine." The rider also believes that many of his colleagues share this position: "They may not be as radical as me, but there are many in the group who think the same way, even if they don't say it openly."

"What happened at the Vuelta demonstrates the vulnerability of cycling. We race on open roads, and it's impossible to control a race that covers kilometers and kilometers. The UCI and the government should have foreseen this situation," Bilbao concluded.

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