Israeli President Isaac Herzog met today with Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) team owner Sylvan Adams ahead of the team’s participation in the upcoming Tour de France.
Reiterating his words to Israel's Olympic delegation last week, President Herzog said, "Especially now - we must stand on every stage, in every competition, and on every track, and give everything we have."
Herzog thanked Adams for his leadership in Israel advocacy and sport, saying, "You are showing the world the beautiful face of Israel on and off the track, and you are doing so at a critical time. So for this year's Tour de France, as in previous years, we wish you 'Bonne chance!'"
Adams presented Herzog with an official IPT jersey and received his blessing for the race, which begins later this week.
“It was a privilege to present his excellency, President Isaac ‘Bougie’ Herzog, an Israel-Premier Tech jersey, and to receive his blessing for a successful Tour de France,” said Adams. “President Herzog recognizes the importance of the presence of IPT at the Tour, with the word 'Israel' proudly displayed on the team jersey in front of 15 million live spectators in France, and over 2 billion TV viewers.”
During their meeting, Adams and President Herzog discussed the unique opportunity the Tour de France provides to promote a positive image of Israel. “Our team in the Tour de France will be reaching the people that I refer to as the silent majority, a-political sports fans, who will appreciate the message of peace and sportsmanship that IPT brings to our races,” Adams explained. “This provides a necessary positive exposure for our nation during this difficult year.”
The conversation also touched on Israel’s growing success in the cycling world. “Additionally, we discussed the success of Israel as an emerging cycling nation, with our country sending four cyclists to the Olympic Games in Paris, the largest Israeli contingent,” Adams said. The four cyclists representing Israel at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which start on June 26, are IPT rider Itamar Einhorn in the men's roan category, Rotem Gafinovitz in the women's road category, Mikhail Yakovlev in the men's track category, and Tomer Zaltsman in the men's mountain biking category.
Team IPT will make its 5th Tour de France start in Florence this Saturday and will showcase a strong lineup of riders with a clear goal to achieve stage victories. The team has recorded three victories in the Tour de France in the last two years, and this season has enjoyed its most successful season to date with 16 victories.
Caroline Haïat
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