Israel Cycling Academy confirmed today that Turkish time trial champion Ahmet Örken, the Pro Continental team's first and only rider from a Muslim-majority country, has decided to leave the team after recent Middle East tensions led to increased pressure for him and his family.
The team announced Örken's two-year contract to much fanfare back in September, and as recently as the team's early December bonding camp in Israel, the four-time Turkish time trial champion, who has raced in Continental teams since 2012, was in good spirits and giving interviews about his future with the team.
In a statement sent to Cyclingnews on Thursday, the team said increased Middle East tension after US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6 had a direct impact on Örken and his family in Turkey. The team said Örken soon contacted management and requested release from his contract, citing “the effect that the recent events in the Middle East had on me and my family.”
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Israel Cycling Academy General Manager Ran Margaliot traveled to Örken's hometown of Konya, Turkey, and spoke with the rider and his family, persuading them to take some time to reconsider the decision, according to the team. Pressure continued to mount on the rider, however, and he eventually requested a formal release. On Wednesday, the team agreed to grant his request.
“This is heartbreaking for all of us,” Margaliot said. “Ahmet is a great athlete and a great person. He joined our program with a vision and commitment to putting sport – and with it, peace – above politics. It was a brave decision and one that was received with widespread support and approval among the Israeli and Turkish people.”
That support was ultimately not enough to overcome the pressure to leave the team that was placed on Örken and his family. Diplomatic ties between Turkey and Israel were downgraded following the 2010 Gaza Flotilla raid, a military operation by Israel against six civilian ships of the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla" in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Nine people were killed in the raid. Although their ambassadors were restored last year following intense negotiations, relations remain cool. As a pilgrimage destination for Sufi Muslims, Konya, a city of more than 2 million people, is one of the most religious in Turkey.
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