Since the start of the Critérium du Dauphiné, a bus has arrived first at the stage start areas. Few spectators are present but a very slight commotion starts on the walkie-talkies of the event security guards. Because it is that of the Israel – Premier Tech team where Chris Froome, the four-time winner of the Tour de France, plays. This training, built in 2015 by Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, is supposed to develop cycling in Israel.
But if security starts at the moment the bus completes its slot, it obviously has nothing to do with Froome’s CV. In the hot geopolitical context and the Israel-Hamas conflict, many fear that the bus will serve as a sounding board for more or less peaceful pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Since the start of the season, the Israeli team bus no longer displays the word “Israel”. It is replaced by a huge P. And on all races in France, security is discreetly reinforced around the coach. In the streets of Gannat (Allier) exactly like the day before in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, two security guards stationed themselves in front of the vehicle.
An incident at the start of the Flèche Wallonne
The instructions are clear: take a look at the public seated two meters aside and posted behind barriers. The fear is to see one or more demonstrators brandishing a Palestinian flag or chanting anti-Israel slogans. It was not the organizers of the race who requested this security reinforcement but the different prefectures crossed by the cycle race. This year, only once did an incident occur at the foot of the Israel Premier Tech bus. It was at the start of Flèche Wallonne on April 17th.
Chris Froome, with the jersey of his team, Israel-Premier Tech. Sirotti / Icon Sport 2024 Icon Sport
But the organizers also noted that, a few days earlier, during the Miguel Indurain Grand Prix held on March 30 in Spain, a man had brandished a swastika as certain riders from the team crossed the finish line. .
For the moment, the Dauphiné public seems completely indifferent to the political context. And if a few curious people flock to the bus, it’s first and foremost to see Chris Froome. If no one wants to comment on this subject, one of the organizers admits that it is the arrival of the fifth stage in Saint-Priest, in the Lyon suburbs, which is a little more worrying. “But the most annoying thing is really during the next Tour de France,” we are told. If some want to create a buzz without too much risk, the Tour would be perfect. Because it is impossible to stop one or more people from waving a Palestinian flag coming out of a backpack. Or even shout slogans. »
