Since entering the Spanish soil, The return took a more political than sporting turning point, following the participation of the training Israel-Premier Tech. As a reminder, the team is not directly sponsored by the State of Israel, but has an agreement with it in order to make its “promotion”. The team owner, Sylvan Adamsis also a fervent support of Benjamin Netanyahu and claimed several times that the runners are “The Ambassadors of the Pays d'Israel”. Following these numerous events, several rumors assured that the training could change its name, to which Sylvan Adams replied: “Fake News, we never run without the Israel name.”
Video – The 11th stage was neutralized because of the demonstrations
“I call this group violent terrorists”
In a long interview with sport5.co, Sylvan Adams returned to the current situation. “We had two extremely difficult days in the Basque Country”said the Israeli-Canadian billionaire. “The region is known as a bastion of far -left activists and separatists who like to demonstrate. It is certainly not our friends. I remind you that in the 1960s and 1970s, the underground Basque ETA was active and had formed an alliance with the OLP. So we were not surprised by this hostile reception, and yet I have never seen this in a cycling race: a huge number and disproportionate Pancards for Palestine and against the state of Israel, and a colossal amount of hatred. “
“In an unusual approach, I decided to settle in the team's car for the first time in order to monitor what was going on and be able to make a decision in the event of an extreme emergency”he said. “It was important for me to be there for the runners, some of whom feel threatened. We threw painting on our car, and at the end of the stage, you all saw the rioters push the barriers and try to invade the road. The decision not to compete in the last 3 kilometers was the right one. It was not sure for the runners. Terrorists because they are violent people.
ASO asked the team to withdraw, but Israel supported the UCI
“ASO CEO, Janon Le Monner (the company that organizes the Vuelta)also asked for the withdrawal of the race team, but I told them that I was not going to do it. If we abandon, it is not only the end of our team, but also of all the others. Tomorrow, they will demonstrate against the Bahrain teams, the United Arab Emirates and Astana. The boycotts have no end. I told them that they were wrong and that we had the right to stay “, explained Adams. On the other hand, theUCI And its president himself supports the team. “I also received massive support from the President of the International Cycling Union, David Lappartient.” An organization that advocates her political impartiality, even though she excluded all the Russian teams three years ago.
“There were people in Spain who were disgusted by all this case and we have really received support on the road. Many people have encouraged us”continues Adams. “I always say that the best thing we can do is to gain and silence those who criticize us, and I believe that we can do it during the last stage in Madrid with Ethan Vernon, our sprinter.”
