\u201cI will continue to fight to defend our right, as Jews, to live in peace, safety, and freedom from the wave of hatred, violence, and antisemitism that has surged since the tragic events of October 7. I call on our incredible community of fans and supporters in Israel and around the world to continue standing behind the team \u2014 and especially behind our Israeli riders,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\t Philanthropist Sylvan Adams announcing a $100 million donation to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, at an event in Toronto, Canada, on December 3, 2023. (Liora Kogan\/Courtesy)<\/p>\n \u201cBeyond its sporting success, IPT has become one of the only teams in the world to embrace a true social vision \u2014 using cycling as a vehicle for change. As part of this vision, it created the \u2018Field of Dreams\u2019 cycling center in Rwanda, which has become an extraordinary success story and an inspiring model of social transformation through sport,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Although the team is privately-owned rather than state-run, Adams has dubbed himself an unofficial ambassador for the country, which is at war with Hamas in Gaza since the terror group carried out the October 7, 2023, massacre on southern communities.<\/p>\n The Vuelta was massively disrupted by protesters, with even the Spanish government \u2014 which has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza \u2014 urging organizers to eject Israel-Premier Tech to put an end to the chaos, which forced several stages to be shortened or neutralized.<\/p>\n Protesters also caused two riders to crash during the three-week-long tour.<\/p>\n And there were isolated protests during the sport\u2019s other two grand tours, the Giro d\u2019Italia and Tour de France.<\/p>\n Both the Vuelta\u2019s organizers, Unipublic, and the International Cycling Union (UCI) refused to kick out Israel PT but were powerless to prevent protester disruptions, given the nature of road cycling taking place out in the open along courses that run for 200 kilometers or more.<\/p>\n \t Pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protestors invade the street during the 21st and last stage of the Vuelta a Espana 2025 in Madrid on September 14, 2025. (Pierre-Philippe MARCOU \/ AFP)<\/p>\n Israel PT even removed the name Israel from the team\u2019s jerseys during the Vuelta to try to provide a less visible target for demonstrators.<\/p>\n But since then, the pressure has mounted on the team to find a solution to continue racing safely.<\/p>\n The team\u2019s main sponsor, the Canadian multi-national Premier Tech, called for them to \u201cevolve to a new name excluding the term Israel, and that it will adopt a new identity and a new brand image.\u201d<\/p>\n And organizers of last week\u2019s Giro dell\u2019Emilia excluded Israel PT for \u201cpublic security\u201d reasons, with rumors that they will also be prevented from taking part in the prestigious Giro di Lombardia monument race this weekend in Italy.<\/p>\n
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