The organisers of the Vuelta a España have responded to the controversy surrounding influencer Erola Jons. Following the Opening time trial in Monaco The 29-year-old Spaniard caused a stir when she confronted stage winner Tadej Pogačar with unusual and uncomfortable questions. The organisers subsequently restricted her access to the riders, but are continuing to work with her.
Access to Tadej Pogačar & Co. revoked
Jons will no longer have direct access to the riders. The mixed zone, the team buses and the podium areas will remain off-limits to her. According to the Spanish newspaper *Marca*, she will continue her work for the Vuelta’s social media channels, but without any direct contact with the athletes. The organisers have asked her to adapt the tone and style of her posts to the standards expected of a top-level sporting event.
The decision was taken following widespread criticism on social media, from the press and from the UAE team. Jons had repeatedly referred to Tadej Pogačar as “Pogachita” following his time trial victory and asked him: “Why do you hyperventilate every time you see me?” The visibly irritated world champion replied: “I breathe 24 hours a day.”
UAE Team Emirates lodges a complaint
UAE Team Emirates – XRG expressed its displeasure at the way Tadej Pogačar was addressed. The team contacted the race organisers and criticised the influencer’s behaviour. Tadej Pogačar is not only the wearer of the red jersey, but also the biggest draw at this year’s Vuelta. The team’s complaint contributed to the decision to restrict Jons’ access.
The influencer had been granted exclusive access to areas that are normally off-limits to journalists. During her livestream, she made several suggestive comments about the drivers’ appearance and their tight racing gear. “This much beauty should be banned – it’s distracting me. It’s getting hot seeing all that tight Lycra,” she said during the broadcast.
Journalist strongly criticises the decision
Eurosport journalist Laura Meseguer strongly criticised the Vuelta’s decision to appoint Jons. “Many women have been fighting for years to expand our space in a male-dominated sport, so that we are treated with respect and have the same opportunities as everyone else,” Meseguer wrote on Instagram.
She described the appointment of someone with no specialist knowledge of the sport as a “serious mistake” if their content is based on sexist comments. “This is disrespectful 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,” wrote the Spanish reporter about the incident involving Erola Jons and Tadej Pogačar.
Cycling commentator Carlos de Andrés also criticised the video as “ridiculous” and called on the race organisers to reconsider their decision. He emphasised that whilst influencers were welcome, particular caution was required when it came to sexist comments.
Organisers defend their strategy
The organisers of the Vuelta defended their decision to work with Jons. They argued that an influencer’s role in getting young people excited about the sport was compatible with traditional journalism and public relations work. The organisers emphasised that Jons fundamentally had “every right” to convey her own perspective and message within the context of the race. However, by restricting Jons’ access, the organisers have shown that a clear line had been crossed.
Jons has 3.2 million followers on Instagram and a further 2.9 million on TikTok. The Vuelta had hired her to appeal to a younger audience and increase the race’s reach on social media. The controversy involving Tadej Pogačar raises questions about the boundaries between traditional sports journalism and social media content. Whilst the organisers are sticking to their strategy, the reaction from the cycling community shows that not all approaches to attracting an audience are met with approval.
Leon Weidner
Editor