Israel Cycling Academy’s presence at the 2018 Giro d’Italia, which starts in Jerusalem, seems to be a certainty, but team backer Sylvan Adams played a straight bat when asked about the prospect earlier this week, carefully stressing that RCS Sport will not formally divulge the four invitees until January.
With the Giro in mind, Israel Cycling Academy has looked to add WorldTour experience to its roster, with Ben Hermans (BMC) and Rubén Plaza (Orica-Scott) the two most high-profile signings during its recent transfer campaign.
In Jerusalem on Monday, Israel Cycling Academy announced another a new signing whose significance is not limited to the sporting sphere. Four-time Turkish national time trial champion Ahmet Orken will ride for the team in 2018, and will be the first rider from a Muslim-majority country to ride for the team.
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Diplomatic ties between Turkey and Israel were downgraded following the Gaza flotilla raid of 2010, and though their ambassadors were restored last year following intense negotiations, relations remain cool.
“We try to use the team as a platform for sports diplomacy, we want to change what people think of our country,” said Israel Cycling Academy manager Ran Margaliot, who paid tribute to Orken’s decision to sign for the team. “Israel and Turkey haven’t had the best relations in the last years, but you are taking a very strong and courageous decision to race with us.”
Orken has ridden for the Torku Sekerspor squad since 2012, and will become the first Turkish rider to compete at Pro Continental level. He was presented to the media wearing the star and crescent-bedecked skinsuit of Turkish time trial champion, and took his place on stage alongside Israeli road race champion Roy Goldstein and time trial champion Guy Sagiv.
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