Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · 21h

Adams steps back and Israeli identity gone barely a month after Netanyahu backing👇👇👇

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Israel-Premier Tech cycling team to drop Israeli identity...

The team, who have been the subject of pro-Palestine protests, will not identify as Israeli from 2026 onwards

observer.co.uk

2

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · 5d

When the head of the riders union is advocating the cancellation of races, you know you’ve got problems👇

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

As bad as 1998: Cycling sinks into a crisis of confidence

Comment: Nation-state investment and stasis over the presence of some sponsors leaves sport at a new low

observer.co.uk

2 4

Reposted by Jeremy Whittle

VELO @velo-velo-velo.bsky.social · 6d

Citing 'security concerns,' Israel-Premier Tech officials confirmed the team will not race a string of one-day races across northern Italy as the threats of protests heats up again.

https://bit.ly/4780QDC

Israel-Premier Tech Pulls Out of Italian Races Amid Protest Threats

Citing 'security concerns,' Israel-Premier Tech officials confirmed the team will not race a string of one-day races across northern Italy as the threats of protests heats up again.

velo.outsideonline.com

2 10

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · 17d

The UCI Road Worlds, the first-ever in Africa, are underway.

The racing is based in Rwanda, scene of a brutal genocide in 1994.

Yet thirty years on, despite the UN’s legal findings on Gaza, cycling’s governing body is looking the other way…👇👇👇

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Cycling struggling to outride the tide of political pressure

Sport continues to battle issues of geopolitics and sportswashing as championships head to Rwanda

observer.co.uk

2 8

Reposted by Jeremy Whittle

Escape Collective @escapecollective.bsky.social · 18d

Belgian journalist denied entry to Rwanda to report on World Championships

escapecollective.com/belgian-jour...

Belgian journalist denied entry to Rwanda to report on World Championships

“It might be about my past critical reporting on Rwanda,” says journalist Stijn Vercruysse, as Dutch riders and staff receive letters educating them about Rwanda’s authoritarian regime.

escapecollective.com

1 6 20

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · 18d

“There are those who feel that a man more at home pondering handlebar width and aerodynamic sock length, and who garnered only four votes at the recent IOC presidency elections, may now be a little out of his depth.”

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/s...

Cycling world heads for Rwanda under a cloud of controversy after Vuelta chaos

First road world championships in Africa should be a moment of celebration – instead the sport is mired in controversy

www.theguardian.com

3 17

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · 22d

So UCI President Lappartient says:
“The UCI condemns the exploitation of sport for political purposes..."

But Benjamin Netanyahu says:
“Great job Israel’s cycling team for not giving in to hatred and intimidation. You make Israel proud!”

So what do the IOC say?

Anything?

1 1 6

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · 23d

WT teams could boycott races involving Israel-Premier Tech after Vuelta chaos. My story here 👇👇

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/s...

Cycling teams could boycott races involving Israel-Premier Tech after Vuelta chaos

World Tour cycling teams could refuse to race against Israel-Premier Tech after pro-Palestine protests forced the cancellation of the Vuelta a España finale

www.theguardian.com

5

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · 24d

Protest chaos cripples Vuelta finale as Vingegaard hangs on to win 👇👇👇

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/s...

Vingegaard wins Vuelta after final stage cancelled amid pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid

Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike won the Vuelta a España after organisers cancelled the final stage amid pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid

www.theguardian.com

1 1

Reposted by Jeremy Whittle

Colin Sydes aka Lord SydesJokes #FBPE #FBR #Resist #Resistance @sydesjokes.bsky.social · 24d

28 86

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · 24d

2026 Tour starts in Barcelona

1

Reposted by Jeremy Whittle

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · 25d

The protests at the Vuelta are already casting a shadow over next year’s Tour de France…..

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Vuelta protesters threaten to disrupt start of next year’...

Pro-Palestine activists causing chaos in Spanish race will target 2026 Tour start in Barcelona

observer.co.uk

2 1 8

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · 25d

The protests at the Vuelta are already casting a shadow over next year’s Tour de France…..

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Vuelta protesters threaten to disrupt start of next year’...

Pro-Palestine activists causing chaos in Spanish race will target 2026 Tour start in Barcelona

observer.co.uk

2 1 8

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · Sep 5

Adams claims ASO asked him to pull IPT from Vuelta and brands protesters “terrorists” 👇👇👇

road.cc @roadcc.bsky.social · Sep 5

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praises Israel-Premier Tech "for not giving in to hate and intimidation" following latest pro-Palestine protests at the Vuelta

“They asked us to quit the Vuelta, but we did not surrender to the terrorists”: Israel-Premier Tech boss Sylvan Adams hits out at “violent terrorist” protesters and dismisses name change “fake news”

Comments come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praises team for "not giving in to hate and intimidation"

road.cc

1

Reposted by Jeremy Whittle

road.cc @roadcc.bsky.social · Sep 5

"Sometimes, as cyclists, we’re really in our own world"

Matteo Jorgenson urges fellow riders to “realise the bigger situations and take some perspective”, after being thrown “under the bus” by Israel-Premier Tech sports director for calling team to leave Vuelta
road.cc/315779

3 7 50

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · Sep 4

“What started as a smattering every day since the Vuelta landed in Spain has turned into a full-blown protest movement…” 👇👇

VELO @velo-velo-velo.bsky.social · Sep 4

Inside the Vuelta a España Protests: ‘All it Takes is One Person To Do Something Crazy’

https://bit.ly/45NW0uJ

Inside the Vuelta a España Protests: ‘All it Takes is 1 Person To Do Something Crazy’

Protesters turned out again and the peloton is on edge: 'There's a lot of uncertainty and no one knows how to best handle it.'

bit.ly

1 5

Reposted by Jeremy Whittle

the Inner Ring blog @inrng.com · Sep 4

Former IPT manager Rik Verbrugge says team should change name. It could work in terms of not attracting protest. But it’d be superficial. Not sure if team owner Adams would want to, and he’s a very political figure, eg close to Netanyahu and been cultivating links with the far right in Europe…

Grégory Ienco @gregienco.be · Sep 4

Rik Verbbrughe, manager sportif durant quatre ans d'Israel Premier Tech, est clair dans Le Soir et Sudinfo : "J’estime que Sylvan Adams devrait changer le nom de l’équipe, la couleur du maillot" www.lesoir.be/696945...

Extrait d'un article dans Le Soir et Sudinfo : "« J’estime que Sylvan Adams devrait changer le nom de l’équipe, la couleur du maillot etc. C’est d’autant plus aberrant, comme situation, que la nation Israël en elle-même n’a jamais injecté un euro dans cette aventure ! À ce propos, il m’est arrivé de rencontrer des sponsors intéressés pour intégrer l’équipe mais la réticence était chaque fois liée à la situation politique », poursuit Rik Verbrugghe.

Ce fut aussi le cas pour les coureurs, et non les moindres, attirés par le projet sportif et par le budget. L’infortuné Chris Froome, bien que diminué, avait ainsi signé un contrat à 5,5 millions annuels en 2021 sur quatre saisons ! « Mais beaucoup, après avoir discuté avec leurs familles finirent par rejeter l’offre, en indiquant, je cite, qu’ils avaient peur pour leurs enfants, leurs parents. Une raison de plus pour changer complètement de nom car cette équipe possède une belle structure, des moyens, des projets. »"

5 12 70

Reposted by Jeremy Whittle

Escape Collective @escapecollective.bsky.social · Sep 3

The war is coming home for Israel-Premier Tech.

Riders are refusing to sign for the squad, morale is suffering, and rumours swirl over a name change and sponsors.

@cmbreports.bsky.social has the story:

escapecollective.com/the-war-is-c...

The war is coming home for Israel-Premier Tech

Riders are refusing to sign for the squad, morale is suffering, and rumours swirl over a name change and sponsors.

escapecollective.com

4 11 43

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · Sep 3

Just to clarify, the ‘pro-Palestine’ protests at the Vuelta are fuelled by the presence of the Israel Premier Tech team.

If that team withdraws from the Vuelta, the protests will stop.

VELO @velo-velo-velo.bsky.social · Sep 3

'Putting us in danger isn't going to help your cause'

Tom Pidcock slams protests after missing out on a chance at victory in neutralized stage at chaotic Vuelta a España

https://bit.ly/465jDhg

Pidcock Slams Vuelta Protest Chaos: ‘Putting Us in Danger Isn't Going to Help Your Cause'

'It's disappointing. I think I had a good chance to win:' Pidcock frustrated at missing chance on Vuelta win after protesters force neutralization of finale.

bit.ly

1 2 12

Reposted by Jeremy Whittle

trick van treat @derek.bike · Sep 3

i dunno i think it might be the exact opposite of that

photo of members of the WNBA's Indiana Fever wear Black Lives Matter shirts

photo of Colin Kaepernick, center, with his San Francisco 49ers teammates Eli Harold, left, and Eric Reid, kneeling

photo of the 200m dash podium at the 1968 olympics, tommie smith and john carlos are standing with their heads bowed and arms raised with a clenched fist. their raised hands are wearing black gloves

photo of naomi osaka wearing a black mask with white writing that says "Tamir Rice"

9 18 140

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · Sep 1

It’s transfer bullshit day…!

Bryan’s Gunn @bryansgunn.bsky.social · Apr 13

He’s a real threat from deep

2

Reposted by Jeremy Whittle

VELO @velo-velo-velo.bsky.social · Aug 31

Rethinking watts per kilo:

How teams are pushing focus onto raw power rather than extreme leanness to keep pace in the hyper-aggressive modern era:

https://bit.ly/4p0QNqY

Rethinking Watts per Kilo: How Pro Cycling is Fighting its History of Hunger

‘There are always riders who want to be lighter than we advise': Teams strive to save riders from themselves in the chase for race-weight and shift the focus to raw power.

velo.outsideonline.com

1 1 4

Jeremy Whittle @jeremywhittle.bsky.social · Sep 1

At least he didn’t bite him

The Athletic @theathletic.com · Sep 1

Seconds after the final whistle, Suárez and other Inter Miami players instigated a melee.

Suárez seemed to spit at the Seattle staffer, who reacted as if he’d been hit by something.

More from the incident ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...

Luis Suárez appears to spit at Sounders staffer amid ugly scenes after Leagues Cup final

Things took a lamentable turn after Inter Miami's comprehensive defeat in Seattle

www.nytimes.com

2

Reposted by Jeremy Whittle

the Inner Ring blog @inrng.com · Aug 30

Full page article for Paul Seixas in L'Equipe today. A detail but telling is the paper sent its lead cycling writer Alex Roos to cover Seixas. If his win was expected it's impressive all the same, first year out of the junior ranks and he wins l'Avenir, it's only U23 race he'll do...

2 4 40

Reposted by Jeremy Whittle

VELO @velo-velo-velo.bsky.social · Aug 27

At just 18 years of age he is making waves, but how will he handle the weight of expectation?

https://bit.ly/41ofm73

‘The Tour Is the Dream, but I Want to Be Versatile’: France’s Big Hope Paul Seixas Takes the Next Step

This week brings an important test for Paul Seixas who, at just 18, already has the eyes of a nation upon him.

velo.outsideonline.com

1 2