Vuelta a España Restricts Influencer Output after Controversial Pogačar Content Sparks UAE Backlash

The Vuelta a España is quietly turning down the volume on its collaboration with Erola Jons after her controversial exchange with Tadej Pogačar sparked a backlash across social media and provoked a complaint from UAE Emirates-XRG.

On Saturday, the online influencer caught Pogačar off guard after the stage 1 time trial as she worked as a behind-the-scenes “roving reporter” for the race broadcast and YouTube channel.

She calls him “Pogachita” and asks “why do you hyperventilate when you see me?” in a cringeworthy clip that has since gone viral.

You can read more on the bizarre interaction here.

Jons, 29, is a noted online influencer with a fanbase of more than six million followers. Her flirtatious public pranks can generate millions of views in one day.

She brought that same sexually charged strategy to her broadcast role with the Vuelta.

Only her string of awkward encounters with unsuspecting riders and male staff didn’t sit well with the cycling world.

Her output for the race this weekend sparked a huge backlash from fans and media pundits alike.

Vuelta clamps down on Jons after Pogachita palaver

UAE Emirates-XRG also wasn’t happy after Pogačar was made the target of Jons’ machinations. The team confirmed to Velo “we expressed our opinions” on the “Pogachita” incident to race officials.

It seems the organizers took note, and hastily rethought the brief for Jons.

And that’s no surprise. The Vuelta has been attempting to lure Pogačar, the undoubted superstar of pro cycling, to its race for years.

He’s not a rider to upset.

Paula Galan, head of communications for the race, told Velo on Monday it’s restructuring the collaboration with Jons to prevent further furor.

“The organization has revised its approach and strengthened content coordination [for Jons],” Galan told Velo. “From now on, interactions with riders and teams will take place according to a pre-agreed plan, respecting their schedules, venues, and criteria for participation.”

Jons will have her access restricted — she was previously able to roam as she wished — and her content strategy will be subject to approval.

She will, however, remain on the race for all 21 stages.

Galan stressed to Velo that Jons is an independent operator and seemingly distanced the social media star from the race’s wider organization.

“Erola Jons is participating in La Vuelta through an entertainment format designed to bring the competition to new audiences, incorporating her personality, sense of humor, and the language she typically uses on social media,” Galan told Velo.

“This format complements—but is independent of—the race’s news coverage and is carried out with the utmost respect for the work of accredited media outlets, teams, riders, and all the professionals who are part of La Vuelta.”