An influencer hired to boost the Vuelta a Espana's social media presence has sparked fury after asking lewd questions to cyclists, including five-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar. Organisers have since restricted her access following complaints from Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates XRG squad.
Opening stage backfires
Erola Jons was employed by the organisers of the Vuelta a Espana, cycling's final grand tour of the season, to bring new eyes to the race. However, the decision backfired during the opening stage, a time-trial around Monaco.
In one clip, she asked Pogacar: "Take me for a ride too." In another, she told the camera: "I don't know where this guy is in the general classification, but in mine he's number one."
Awkward exchange after stage
The most awkward moment came after the stage, when Pogacar was ready to take his new leader's jersey. "Pogachitar, congratulations," she said. "Why do you hyperventilate every time you see me?"
The Slovenian, who won the opening stage, did not look impressed. He responded: "What? I breathe 24/7, thank you..." A member of UAE Team Emirates XRG's staff then pushed Erola away.
Lewd comments and backlash
Her most lewd comment was still to come: "It's getting hot seeing all this Lycra, and so tight...If they're changing, even better, that'll boost the audience. Yes, he's changing, you can see through the jersey a little and it's not bad... I like it."
UAE confirmed to Velo that they expressed their opinions on the incident to race officials, and organisers have since restricted Erola's access. Reports suggest she has been banned from talking to riders and told to adjust her tone.
Social media and professional fury
Social media users reacted angrily. "This is diabolical," one fan fumed. "Who thought hiring an influencer that knows nothing about cycling culture is a good idea," a second said. A third posted: "The only thing it makes me feel is secondhand embarrassment!"
Eurosport journalist Laura Meseguer expressed her fury on Instagram: "Many women have spent years fighting to expand our space in a male-dominated sport, so that we are treated with respect and have the same opportunities as everyone else.
"It is a serious mistake to hire someone with absolutely no knowledge of the sport, whose content will be based on this series of sexist comments that we women have been trying to escape from for decades!!!
"It is a lack of respect towards us, towards the female professionals working here and, above all, towards the cyclists. No one should have to put up with being treated like an object, neither women nor men."
