Team withdraws "Israel" reference from jerseys during the rest of the Vuelta cycle race due to Palestine support demonstrations
Israel-Premier Tech Cycling Team Alters Jersey Design Amid Protests at La Vuelta a España
The Israel-Premier Tech cycling team has made a significant change to their jerseys for the remainder of La Vuelta a España, following requests and pressure from the race organizers. The team has removed the word 'Israel' from their jerseys, while maintaining their logo, modelled on the Star of David, on the kit.
The decision to remove 'Israel' from the jerseys was made by the team itself, Israel-Premier Tech, in an effort to reduce tensions and ensure rider safety amid pro-Palestinian protests. The team's logo has moved to the right-side of the chest, and 'Premier Tech' has been moved up to a more prominent position alongside the Star of David logo on the left-side of the chest.
The team will continue to be called Israel-Premier Tech, with no plans to drop 'Israel' from their team name. This is not the first time the team has made such a change, as they have previously removed 'Israel' from their team vehicles and casual clothing, and riders had been issued with blank training kits for their safety last year.
Protests against the Israel-Premier Tech team have been a regular occurrence during La Vuelta a España. In earlier stages of the race, protestors blocked the team during the team time trial, and Intermarché-Wanty rider Simone Petilli was injured after protestors blocked the road in front of the peloton on a previous day.
Up to 2,000 protestors lined the finish straight in Bilbao during the 157.4km stage, forcing race organisers to bring the finish line forward by 3km with no stage winner. Protests during La Vuelta a España have also resulted in further halting of the breakaway at the foot of the Angliru on stage 13.
Despite calls for them to pull out or be removed from the race, Israel-Premier Tech has vowed to race on. The team name remains Israel - Premier Tech, but the monogram kit now aligns with the branding decisions previously adopted for their vehicles and casual clothing.
Billionaire team owner Sylvan Adams is a supporter of the Israel Defence Forces actions in Gaza and has called himself a "self-appointed ambassador-at-large for Israel". However, the team's actions during La Vuelta a España demonstrate a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of their riders amidst the ongoing protests.
