The Israel-Premier Tech team have said pulling out of this year’s Vuelta a España would “set a dangerous precedent in the sport of cycling” after pro-Palestinian protests disrupted the 11th stage of the race on Wednesday.
There was no winner declared on Wednesday’s stage due to protesters at the finish line in Bilbao. Israel-Premier Tech were also the target of protests during the team time-trial last week and there have been suggestions that some members of the peloton would like the team to withdraw from the race.
After stage 11, though, Israel-Premier Tech pledged to continue. “Israel–Premier Tech is a professional cycling team,” the team said in a statement. “As such, the team remains committed to racing on at the Vuelta a España. Any other course of action sets a dangerous precedent in the sport of cycling, not only for Israel–Premier Tech, but for all teams.
“Israel–Premier Tech has repeatedly expressed its respect for everyones’ right to protest, as long as those protests remain peaceful and do not compromise the safety of the peloton. The Vuelta a España race organisation and police are doing everything in their power to create a safe environment and, for that, the team is especially grateful.
“However, the behaviour of protesters in Bilbao today was not only dangerous, but counterproductive to their cause and deprived the Basque cycling fans, some of the best cycling fans in the world, of the stage finish they deserved.
“We thank the race organisers and UCI [cycling’s governing body] for their continued support and cooperation, as well as the teams and riders that have expressed their support both publicly and privately and, of course, our fans.”
Israel–Premier Tech are expected on the startline in Laredo on Thursday morning for the 144.9km stage to Los Corrales de Buelna. The team also have a six-man squad at the men’s Tour of Britain, where stage three – running from Milton Keynes to Ampthill – takes place on Thursday.
