The Israel-Prime Tech training will finally participate in the 12th stage of the Vuelta this Thursday, its leaders announced in a statement this Wednesday evening. However, there was a doubt after the incidents that punctuated the 11th stage this Wednesday in and around Bilbao.
Propalestinian demonstrators have, in fact, disturbed the arrival of the race whose results were frozen 3 km from the finish. They notably demanded the withdrawal of the Israeli team. At the end of the stage, race director Kiko Garcia himself considered that the Israel-Prime Tech team had to withdraw, “for the safety of the Vuelta”.
It will not be. The training will be at the start of the 12th stage. “Israel Premier Tech is a professional cycling team. As such, it remains determined to participate in the Vuelta. Any other decision would create a dangerous precedent in the world of cycling, not only for Israel – Premier Tech, but also for all the other teams, “write the leaders.
“Israel – Premier Tech has repeatedly expressed his respect for everyone’s right to demonstrate, as long as these demonstrations remain peaceful and do not compromise the security of the peloton,” adds the team. The organizers of the Vuelta and the police do everything in their power to create a safe environment, and the team is particularly grateful to them. »»
The leaders of Israel-Prime Tech also deplore the attitude of the demonstrators. “The behavior of the demonstrators in Bilbao today was not only dangerous, but also counterproductive for their cause and deprived Basque cycling fans, who are among the best in the world, of the arrival of the stage they deserved. »»
“We thank the organizers of the race and the UCI for their continuous support and cooperation, as well as the teams and the runners who expressed their support both publicly and private, and of course, our fans,” concluded the team.
