Vuelta Influencer Axed After Sexism Row
- Catalan influencer Erola Jons has been barred from direct contact with cyclists at La Vuelta after comments to Tadej Pogacar were labelled sexist.
- Jons was originally hired by the Vuelta organisation to generate content for new and younger audiences.
- She retains a working role at the race but will no longer have access to riders following the controversy.
Catalan influencer Erola Jons has been removed from direct contact with riders at La Vuelta a España after comments she made to race leader Tadej Pogacar, of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, were widely characterised as sexist. The organisation confirmed she will continue in her role at the race but will no longer be granted access to the peloton.
Hired to reach new audiences
Jons was brought in by the Vuelta's organisers specifically to create content aimed at younger and newer audiences — a strategy that has drawn considerable attention well beyond cycling circles. Her remarks to Pogacar sparked immediate and significant public controversy, with critics labelling them sexist. The source of that characterisation is not further specified in available material, and no denial or defence from Jons has been reported.
Consequences and ongoing role
The decision to restrict her access while retaining her in a broader capacity represents a measured disciplinary response by the organisation, which appears to be balancing reputational concerns against its original content strategy. The episode has prompted a wider review of how the Vuelta manages influencer appointments, underlining the difficulties professional sport faces in integrating social media personalities into high-profile competitive environments. The race has already contended with disruption off the road this edition, having seen a stage cancelled following a dangerous hailstorm.
Whether further action will follow, or whether Jons herself will respond publicly to the controversy, remains unresolved.
