Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal: No Incidents Amid Protests
- The Israel-Premier Tech cycling team's participation in Montreal's flagship cycling race sparked protests.
- Unlike the final stage of La vuelta in Spain which was cancelled due to similar protests, the Montreal race was completed.
- Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) won the race, with teammate Tadej Pogacar (a four-time Tour de France winner) finishing a close second.
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Protests Disrupt Montreal Cycling Race:
The Israel-Premier Tech cycling team’s participation in Montreal’s flagship cycling race sparked protests. Activists accused the team of “sports washing” given Israel’s actions in the ongoing war in Gaza (where over 60,000 Palestinians have been estimated killed). Protesters waved Palestinian flags, chanted slogans (“shame,” “Israel murders Palestinian children,” “No Zionists on our bike paths”), and set off flares.
Race Continues Despite disruption:
Unlike the final stage of La vuelta in Spain which was cancelled due to similar protests, the Montreal race was completed. riders faced booing and yelling but were able to finish the 209-kilometer circuit.
Race Results:
Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) won the race, with teammate Tadej Pogacar (a four-time Tour de France winner) finishing a close second. The teammates strategically allowed McNulty to win.
Reaction:
McNulty acknowledged the protests as “an unfortunate situation” but expressed relief that the race wasn’t violent like the protests at La Vuelta, and that both protesters and racers were able to express themselves. Riot police were present to manage the protest.