Erola Jons / Tadej Pogačar Interview Controversy Explained

Tracking the controversy surrounding Spanish influencer Erola Jons’ official content role at the 2026 Vuelta a España after her flirtatious interview with cycling star Tadej Pogačar drew accusations of sexism, objectification and disrespect and prompted organizers to restrict her access to riders.

The Vuelta Hired Jons To Reach A Younger Social-Media Audience. Race organizer Unipublic hired Jons, who has millions of followers across TikTok and Instagram, to create humorous content for the Vuelta’s digital channels rather than perform traditional sports journalism. Organizers gave her access to restricted areas normally available to riders, accredited media and race personnel. [EL PAÍS]

Jons Called Pogačar “Pogachitar” While Trying To Get His Attention. After Pogačar won the opening time trial in Monaco, Jons repeatedly tried to interact with him while calling him “Pogachitar,” a nickname that quickly became emblematic of the backlash over her approach to covering the race. [EUROSPORT]

Jons Asked Pogačar Why He “Hyperventilates” When He Sees Her. During their direct interaction, Jons asked Pogačar why he hyperventilated every time he saw her. A visibly confused Pogačar responded, “What?” before attempting to answer and continuing with his post-race obligations. [EL DESMARQUE]

Jons Said Pogačar Was First In Her Own “General Classification.” Jons joked that she did not know where Pogačar stood in the actual race standings but that he ranked first in her personal classification, one of several remarks critics characterized as reducing the rider to an object of flirtation rather than treating him as an athlete. [EL PAÍS]

Jons Asked Pogačar To Take Her For A Ride. While watching Pogačar, Jons called him cute and said, “Pogachitar, take me for a ride too,” adding to criticism that her official Vuelta coverage had become more focused on flirting with riders than the competition. [EL PAÍS]

Jons Was Criticized For Trying To Watch Pogačar While He Was Changing. Reporting on the controversy said Jons attempted to look toward Pogačar while he was changing in a restricted area, contributing to complaints that organizers had given an entertainment influencer inappropriate access to spaces where athletes expected greater privacy. [EL PAÍS]

Cycling Journalist Laura Meseguer Condemned The Content As Sexist. Eurosport journalist Laura Meseguer said women in cycling had spent years fighting to be treated professionally and argued that hiring someone with little knowledge of the sport to make sexualized comments represented a serious step backward. She said nobody, male or female, should have to tolerate being treated as an object. [EUROSPORT]

Critics Said Jons’ Role Was Disrespectful To Female Cycling Professionals. Meseguer argued that the decision was disrespectful not only toward riders but toward women who had spent years establishing themselves as serious journalists and professionals in the traditionally male-dominated sport. [EUROSPORT]

UAE Team Emirates Complained To Vuelta Organizers. Pogačar’s UAE team raised concerns with organizers following Jons’ interactions with its riders and asked that she obtain permission from the team’s communications staff before approaching them in the future. [EL PAÍS]

The Vuelta Restricted Jons’ Access To Riders After The Backlash. Organizers decided that Jons could remain with the race through its conclusion but could no longer approach and interview cyclists without first receiving authorization from their teams. [EL PAÍS]

Vuelta Organizers Defended The Content As Humor Rather Than Journalism. Unipublic said Jons had been hired specifically to produce jokes and entertainment and argued that her work should be understood in that context rather than judged as conventional journalism. The organization nevertheless imposed restrictions after complaints from teams and cycling professionals. [EL PAÍS]

Pogačar Said He Barely Remembered The Interaction. When reporters asked Pogačar about the controversy the following day, he said he did not know what they were referring to and appeared not to have fully understood or remembered the encounter that had become viral online. [EL PAÍS]