We’ll get to the volcanoes in a minute. But first, an update on Stage 5 and the protests that interrupted the team time trial. As the squad from Team Israel Premier Tech gathered at the start, a few loud protesters blocked the ramp leading from the podium to the course. While they were quickly dispersed by police, their comrades further along the route were not so easily dispatched. As they approached the midpoint in the race, several protesters blocked the road, carrying anti-Israel banners and shouting at the riders, forcing them to come to a stop and lose precious time.

According to news sources, Israel Premier Tech, primary sponsor of the cycling team, is not affiliated with the government of Israel. Its founder, Sylvan Adams, is an Israeli-Canadian citizen. Members of Spain’s far-left political party, Izquierda Unida, have been linked to this protest and others.

I think this sucks! However you feel about the conflict in Gaza, the cyclists are not responsible for it. Punishing them by interfering with their time trial does nothing to ease the plight of the Gazans; it has absolutely no impact on the Israeli government either. Ugh.

Here’s how the actual race concluded:

Stage 6: Olot to Pal Arinsal, Andorra (171 kms; mountain stage)

If you watched this year’s Tour de France, you’ll remember the grueling stages in and around the Pyrénées Mountains. Get ready for another go-round! Thursday’s race takes us through the Garrotxa Volcanic Area Natural Park, home to four large craters. It finishes on the Pal Sector of the Pal Arinsal ski resort. With three categorized climbs, this should be a lot of fun for the peloton!

With the GC shakeup on Wednesday, Vingegaard still leads the pack but not by much. Juan Ayuso, João Almeida, and Marc Soler of UAE Team Emirates are just 8 seconds behind, thanks to their team’s brilliant performance in the time trial. In fact, the top ten riders are all within 22 seconds. Team Visma-Lease a Bike will feel the heat, but how will they deal with it? Better to relinquish the red jersey temporarily, putting pressure on a rival team? I’m not sure what the correct strategy is, but it’ll be exciting to watch!

Vuelta Vaso de Vino Recommendation: Espelt Old Vines Garnacha, DO Empordà ($15; 14% abv)

Yesterday I highlighted a young, fresh wine made from the garnacha/grenache grape. Here’s one made by the same producer but from much older vines. The Espelt family has grown grapes in Empordà for centuries but didn’t bottle their own wines until 2000. Now managed by Anna Espelt, the estate has been certified organic by ECOCERT, and focuses its plantings on indigenous varieties, making traditional styles of wine. Grapes for this wine come from the Rabós vineyard, situated on slopes 250 meters high on soils of sandy granite, limestone, and slate. It lies within the Albera Nature Reserve, just a few kilometers from the sea.

The Garnacha vines are nearly 100 years old, and give rise to grapes with a complex, concentrated fruit profile, as well as a distinctive mineral component. Grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and crushed before spending 36 hours in a pre-fermentation maceration. Alcoholic fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks, and the finished wine spends three months in new French oak barrels.

Tasting note: Deep ruby red color – so vibrant! On the nose there are bright cherry notes, along with some dirt and herbs – thyme and rosemary – and a whisper of vanilla. The palate is complex, especially for a wine at this price point. There are loads of red fruit tempered by earthy notes and more acidity than I expected. And there is a minerally ribbon that slices right through the center. A very lovely wine, one I’d be happy to sip again.

Enjoy our (first) foray into the Pyrénées; see you tomorrow for a preview of Stage 7. Spoiler alert: more mountains ahead!