Israeli team triggers extra security at cycling’s European championships
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Demonstrators disrupting the cyclists' route on Paseo del Prado during the 21st and last stage of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race on Sept 14.
PHOTO: EPA
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KIGALI – Security at October’s European Road Cycling Championships in France will be strengthened owing to the presence of an Israeli team, the organisers said on Sept 23.
Israel has picked a 13-strong team for the championships in the Drome-Ardeche region, and the Oct 1-5 event comes a fortnight after pro-Palestinian demonstrators, protesting against the Israel-Premier Tech team, disrupted the Vuelta a Espana on multiple days.
Around 100,000 people took part in demonstrations against the war in Gaza on the final day of one of the sport’s three big stage races in Spain, causing chaos with the stage shortened and the winner Jonas Vingegaard crowned in a hotel car park.
“What the Vuelta revealed is the scale that this phenomenon can reach when seeking at all costs to block an event,” French cycling federation chief Michel Callot told AFP and L’Equipe at the world championships in Rwanda.
“This means we will be strengthening cooperation with state services and to coordinate with them on anything they deem necessary so that the riders can race in complete safety,” he said.
La Vuelta was not the first race targeted in 2025.
In May, pro-Palestinian protesters stretched a rope across the road shortly before the finish of the sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia in Naples.
In July, a man wearing a T-shirt reading “Israel out of the Tour” disrupted the finish of the 11th stage of the Tour de France in Toulouse.
Callot added: “The time trials are not affected, only the three road races for men.
“From a security standpoint, this is a crucial point because time trials, where everyone knows when an athlete will arrive, are particularly challenging to secure.
“This is a relief for me as an organiser.”
While Callot would not be drawn on the precise security measures planned, he said the security of the Israeli delegation away from the event “falls outside” his federation’s aegis.
“For European or world championships, the organiser doesn’t house the teams. It’s up to the nations themselves,” he explained.
On the presence of an Israeli team at the event, Callot insisted that was nothing to do with the French federation.
“We adhere to legal standards. The Israeli federation is a member of the UCI (International Cycling Union) and the European Cycling Union,” he said.
“This gives them the unequivocal right to participate. It is our responsibility to respect this rule.
“The UCI has made it very clear that it does not want to engage in the politicisation of sport, drawing on the position advocated by the IOC (International Olympic Committee).”
The war in Gaza was sparked by a Hamas attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to official data.
Israeli military operations since then has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. AFP
