
Faced with the positions taken by some Bologna collectives who invite to "block the Giro dell'Emilia" in case of participation of Israel Premier Tech, following recent events at the Vuelta, supported by the Bologna Sports Councilor Roberta Li Calzi who declared herself against the team's participation in the classic scheduled for October 4th, the organizer Adriano Amici replied to LaPresse:
"It's not up to me to exclude the Israeli team, but it's up to the UCI to communicate when it's better that a team does not compete. We invite the best teams in the world, and my position becomes difficult because I'm essentially obliged to invite the best squads and riders. The team's name has nothing to do with it, we've always had it and there have never been problems. Each of us can be political if we want, but at a sporting level, why is Israel at the cycling world championships? Why did the Italian football team play a qualifying match against Israel? One must be in the mindset of those who want to create something incredible; these things sadden us. I'll speak with their sports directors, who will consider that they are not welcome by the institutions, but I can do nothing about it. I just say that riding this wave at a sporting level does not seem right; everyone handles politics as they see fit, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to pour alcohol on the fire. These things can suddenly fall on your shoulders. This team has been registered and is competing in all the major events, from the Tour to the Giro, from Milan–Sanremo to Tre Valli Varesine. It's taking part in all the competitions. The organizing body aims to have the best riders in the world, and then Israel Premier Tech has foreign riders — none of them are Israeli. The ones who actually race are the riders. Politics has little to do with it here. Of course, I agree with those who say this war is wrong. Who wouldn’t?"