The trophy of the Giro d'Italia
The 'special 100th edition' official pink golden trophy 100th Giro d'Italia 2017

Human rights groups and others call on Giro d’Italia to abandon Israel start

Next year’s planned start of the Giro d’Italia in Israel has come under pressure with the news that over 120 separate groups have called on organisers RCS Sport to move the race to another location.

The groups are protesting the decision to hold the race’s prestigious Grande Partenza [Big Start] in Jerusalem, with a 10.1 kilometre time trial taking place there on May 4. Two road stages will following, racing to Tel Aviv and Eilat respectively.

September’s announcement about the Grande Partenza already led to criticism from groups such as the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which said the event represents a “sports-washing of Israel’s occupation and apartheid.”

 

Read the full article by Shane Stokes at Cycling Tips.