Netanyahu meets the cyclists
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, this morning met with members of Israeli Cycling Academy team, competing in the Giro d’Italia, ahead of the start of the race in Jerusalem on Friday.
Photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO
Prime Minister Netanyahu told the Israel team: “We are very excited by this competition. This is the first time that the Giro is being held outside Europe, in Israel. This is a great honor. This is the first time that an Israeli team is participating in this competition. We wish it great success and pedaling for Zion.
We are very pleased that bicyclists have come here from all over the world, including the Arab world. This is a very important message from Jerusalem, our city, the city of peace.
The fact that you are here now is already a victory. This is very important. We wish you great success.
We have always proven that we can do much more than what is expected. You are starting out and we are all with you. If we could, the entire people of Israel would stand behind you and give you a push.”
An Israeli team rider said, “We will do our utmost in order to represent Israel with honor and I hope it will go well.”
Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev also met the team members.
Australia’s Rohan Dennis now sports the pink jersey after winning the second intermediate sprint in Jerusalem.
The riders have completed the 167km trip from Haifa to Tel Aviv.
Today the event sees the competitors riding to Eilat before leaving Israel tp resume the Giro in Sicily.
The photos of the route in the other photo story was in arid desert so not to appealing.
I saw quite a bit of the coverage from Foxtel Channel 511.
Absolutely fantastic. Apart from the sporting prowess of the participants the views (particularly the aerial photography) was better than first class. I saw images of Israel I had not previously seen.The sights were so good. I imagine the whole of Europe population who follow cycling with enthusiasm will only be encouraged to visit.
The Israelis were out in force waving flags and cheering (perhaps getting involved a little too much at times) but were genuinely welcoming the participants.
Great publicity for Israel showing there is more to the Country than the negative press it so often receives.