>Israel-Premier Tech isn't a state-owned team, but Adams's private team, which he considers one of his vehicles for promoting Israel. In recent months, Adams has also made controversial statements about Israel's war in Gaza.
>Van Lancker knows Adams very well. "He attends all the major races and the winter training camps. He's a very friendly man, passionate about cycling."
>Van Lancker hasn't heard from his boss yet about what's happening in the Vuelta. "But I hear from my colleagues there that no one is happy with the situation."
>"I spoke with our Spanish team director in the Vuelta last night. He, and especially the riders, are scared. They're on their bikes, and you never know what might happen."
>Van Lancker emphasizes that there's no top-down order not to talk about the conflict. "That's not happening at all. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I don't think anyone on the team will. We're a cycling team; I don't think we should be discussing what's happening politically." The riders' safety is paramount for Van Lancker. The safest option is to withdraw from the Vuelta, but the team decided against that, and Adams would never allow it either. "I don't think so either. And I don't know if that would be a solution."
>"If the team were to stop, the protests would just continue, I think. We also have other matches to play until the end of the season. I don't think that's a solution."
>Aren't there any riders who want to quit? "I haven't personally heard of that yet, but I can imagine some riders considering it. I think the team would give a rider who can't handle it anymore the choice and let him go home."
>The riders now have neutral kits: "Most of them train in them. It's been since last year that we've only had "Israel" on the jerseys in races."
>"We're also considering removing "Israel" from the jerseys in Spain. Incidentally, the cars haven't had "Israel" on them since last year either."