Israel - Premier Tech removed from Giro dell'Emilia team list amidst protest fears

It had been reported earlier in the week that protests were being organized ahead of the Giro dell'Emilia, partly supported by members of the Bologna sports council. It had been said by the race director that it was not possible to remove Israel - Premier Tech from the race and that this would have to be done by the UCI, however as it seems the team has indeed been removed a week before the start of the race.

Pressure is coming from all sides against the Israeli team as protests and calls for the Israeli sponsorship and team nationality to be removed. This applies to both races, protestors and even it's own sponsors such as Premier Tech and bike supplier Factor.

Earlier this week Giro dell'Emilia director Adriano Amici said that "I'm not the one who should exclude the Israeli team. That's up to the UCI. When they observe certain issues, they have to communicate that it's better for Israel-Premier Tech not to participate". Has this happened? According to Gazzetta dello Sport's Ciro Scognamiglio, the race organizers have said that the Israeli team will not compete. It is not clear what is the exact circumstance that has led to this decision. 

Meanwhile UCI president David Lappartient has talked to Cyclingnews this week in Rwanda and has explained that the UCI is following Olympic guidelines, and not acting directly on Israel - Premier Tech based on other variables. This was also the case with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which continues to this day.

“For Russia it was different. The attack from the Russian government against the Ukrainian territory happened during the Olympic truce. The Olympic truce was a resolution approved by the United Nations unanimously," he explained. "The Olympic charter also mentions that of course we recognize a country the way they are recognized by the international community and by the United Nations".