Ahmet Orken, Turkish cycling star has decided to quit his Israeli cycling squad over the recent Jerusalem backlash. According to the pro rider, he had to come up with this hard decision due to the pressure his family was facing soon after Trump’s recognition of Israeli’s capital.
He is known to be one of the best professional cyclists of Turkey and now he has to rejoin his Turkish team giving up from all of his plans, scheduled events, and Israeli outfit. Orken, the multiple time trial champion, will now ride for Salcano Sakarya Buyksehir.
“It was a difficult period in the last two weeks,” Orken added as he signed the new contract on Monday.
“I took the decision so as not to worry about my country and my family. This is a decision that I have taken myself,” the champion said.
Released from his two-year contract
On the other hand, the Pro Continental team with whom Orken had signed a two-year contract a few month ago, Israel Cycling Academy, has admitted to have agreed to release Orken from his newly-signed contract.
İmzanın nereye atıldığı değil, nerede atıldığı önemlidir.
Burası Sakarya!
Teşekkürler Sakarya! #SalcanoSakaryaBBTeam #Sakarya #Bisiklet @SakaryaBelTr @sbbzekitocoglu @rhnbyrktr pic.twitter.com/aAP7rDpH5e— Ahmet Örken (@ahmetorkenn) December 25, 2017
“While we are disappointed by his decision, we only want what is best for him and his family. The doors of Israel Cycling Academy will be open for Ahmet. We certainly hope to see him rejoin us,” the team’s general manager, Ran Margaliot, stated.
In another cycling dispute linked with the ‘Jerusalem’ case, some Palestinian officials have publically accused the 2018 Giro d’Italia organizers of being “complicit in Israel’s military occupation” for deciding to begin next season’s race in the city.
