Another difficult day on the Vuelta roads due to ProPal protesters. For the second time in this edition, the stage was shortened, but unlike what happened in Bilbao, today the victory was assigned.

Javier Guillen, race director, held a press conference to clarify the organizers' position: "The Vuelta will continue: tomorrow morning we will be on the starting line to race and our goal is to reach Madrid. We have the right and duty to do so".

Here is the press conference by the race's top executive (you can also watch the video made by Claudio Ghisalberti from Malpensa24)

"The main message I want to convey today is that we will continue to race the Vuelta. Tomorrow we will start the stage from O Barco de Valdeorras to Ponferrada. It is obvious that this will be a very tough Vuelta, a very intense Vuelta, and it has generated an extraordinary debate, a debate of which you are all witnesses, and one we would never have wanted to participate in". These were the first words of the press conference by Javier Guillen, director of the Spanish stage race, who with deep regret, decided to speak, explaining the organizers' position.

"We have rules, we must respect them, and I believe that not only the Vuelta must respect them, but all of us must respect them. Stages cannot be shortened, cyclists cannot be blocked. It is illegal, and it is illegal both because it is justified by the penal code and by sports law. We are sport, and sport serves to unite. Everything else is not something related to sport. Anyone who wants to use the Vuelta a España communication platform to send their message, and in this case, a pro-Palestinian message, cannot do so. Of course, what is happening is terrible, and obviously, what we all want is peace".

In particular, Javier Guillen referred to the refrain "Long live Palestine, Free Palestine" from a song that is causing a stir at the Vuelta, as it was broadcast for ten minutes on the Radio Vuelta frequency, used by all cycling teams and race organizers.

"Everyone knows the decision-making bodies: the International Cycling Union, the race, international organizations. Out of respect for the riders, out of respect for the public, out of respect for sport, letting us race is the only thing we ask, and we are determined to do so. Obviously, today we cannot focus on whether the Vuelta is doing things right or wrong. It is a perfectly legitimate debate. We must focus on the fact that attitudes like today's cannot be tolerated. We must keep in mind that we are working and making enormous efforts to carry on the race".

Police forces are practically everywhere on the route, but despite efforts, protesters continue to endanger the riders. On today's route, tree trunks were deliberately placed to block the group's passage.

"The message we want to convey is that the Vuelta is not in question. Tomorrow we will start from Valdehorras and our goal is to bring the race to Madrid. I cannot say more at the moment. We ask for everyone's collaboration and we particularly appeal to all those who understand that shortening the race is right and legitimate. This is not acceptable. And we want everyone to stop encouraging this type of possibility".

The Vuelta does not want to enter into political issues, noting that the state of Israel has not received any ban, also recalling the football match between Italy and Israel that was played last night.

"I am not here to fight anyone. I just want the race to take place. That is why we are implementing all possible or available security measures, but it is also necessary for this type of action to cease, because it is part of our coexistence. This cannot be legitimized. It is not something we can say 'There's nothing wrong' or 'Well, don't take it the wrong way', we have already seen its consequences. Just as we see the consequences of certain behaviors that jeopardize the physical integrity of everyone: collectors, the public and, of course, also those who at any time might try to overtake or interfere with the course of the race".

Javier Guillen wanted to emphasize the enormous deployment of military and law enforcement, but that they would not be enough even if increased, because it is impossible to control every meter of the route.

"The UCI has issued a statement expressing its position, the team continues to make statements about it and, from now on, what we want is for the races to continue. If all teams participating in the Vuelta have legitimacy, this does not put us at the forefront, neither for nor against the other debate. I repeat, the debate is absolutely difficult, but we are all here for peace in Gaza. Now, however, we are here to move forward with the race, and these are the rules of the game we have, the ones we have given ourselves, and I understand that there are people who disagree, but we all must respect them. The International Cycling Union and the team itself have already taken a position. We can evaluate any other type of scenario. We will see in the next few days, or not. But what we want now is to work to reach Madrid. We do not have a plan B and the only plan we have is to reach Madrid".