{"id":42748,"date":"2018-05-03T16:08:08","date_gmt":"2018-05-03T22:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/?p=42748"},"modified":"2018-05-04T11:20:00","modified_gmt":"2018-05-04T17:20:00","slug":"israel-prepares-for-giro-ditalias-big-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/israel-prepares-for-giro-ditalias-big-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel prepares for Giro d&#8217;Italia&#8217;s Big Start"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"block cols3\">\n<div class=\"fixed-sidebar active\">\n<div class=\"mobile sala-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"sidebar-content\">\n<div class=\"wrap-orgering\">By ELIANA RUDEE<\/div>\n<div class=\"block cols4\">\n<div class=\"item template1 feature \">\n<div>&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"media \"><span class=\"dateline\">(<em>JNS.org<\/em>) <\/span>&nbsp;\u2013 The biggest biking event in the history of the Jewish state is about to arrive, placing Israel in the center of the sporting map.&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.giro-bigstartisrael.com\/\">The Giro d\u2019Italia<\/a>&nbsp;is second only to the Tour de France as professional cycling\u2019s most important race.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"article-infinite-scroll block cols6\">\n<article id=\"article_17545\" class=\"block cols6 article article-feature-special\" data-next_article_id=\"17497\" data-article_id=\"17545\" data-article_url_http=\"http:\/\/www.jns.org\/pedal-to-the-metal-in-israel-giro-ditalia-to-bust-out-bikes-big-time\/\" data-article_url=\"https:\/\/www.jns.org\/pedal-to-the-metal-in-israel-giro-ditalia-to-bust-out-bikes-big-time\/\" data-article_title_full=\"Pedal to the metal: In Israel, Giro d\u2019Italia to bust out bikes big time | JNS.org\" data-article_title=\"Pedal to the metal: In Israel, Giro d\u2019Italia to bust out bikes big time\" data-article_description=\"Meet Sylvan Adams, the man behind the spokes, who notes that 25,000 people will be working as part of the race, making it the largest event ever held in Israel, both in terms of people watching and working.\" data-image_url=\"https:\/\/cdn.jns.org\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-training-with-ICA-2-Credit-Israel-Cycling-Academy.jpg\" data-image_width=\"1600\" data-image_height=\"1070\" data-author_name=\"By Eliana Rudee\" data-article_can_be_download=\"yes\">\n<div class=\"block cols6 article-body\">\n<div class=\"block cols4\">\n<div class=\"article-content\">\n<p>This week, for the first time in the race\u2019s history, the event will begin outside of Europe, with three days of racing in Israel starting on May 4 in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n<div class=\"newsletter\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_42749\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-42749\" class=\"wp-image-42749 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-2-300x197.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"197\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-2-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-2-768x505.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-2-1024x673.jpg 1024w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/197;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-42749\" class=\"wp-image-42749 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-2-300x197.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-2-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-2-768x505.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-2-1024x673.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-42749\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sylvan Adams speaking at a cycling event. (Photo courtesy Israel Cycling Academy)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The driving force behind bringing the race to Israel is Canadian-Israeli philanthropist Sylvan Adams, a passionate biker and the honorary president of Giro d\u2019Italia\u2019s \u201cBig Start\u201d in Israel.<\/p>\n<p>According to Adams, it will be \u201cthe largest and most significant sporting event ever held in Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last year, the race was broadcasted on television to 840 million people worldwide.&nbsp;This year, viewership is expected to be 1 billion during the three days and 16 hours of television coverage. Tens of thousands of tourists are expected to see it in real time. And some 25,000 people will be on hand to make the race go smoothly, making it the largest event ever held in Israel, both in terms of people watching and working. Tens of thousands of tourists are expected.<\/p>\n<p>In the first stage of the race, helicopters will fly over famous sites such as the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock and the Israel Museum, all in Jerusalem. In the second stage of the race, cyclists will ride in Haifa, Mount Carmel, Akko, Nazareth and Caesarea. They will proceed to Netanya, Tel Aviv and Jaffa, finishing by the beach. In the third stage, the cyclists will ride around Beersheva and by the Mitzpeh Ramon Crater, enjoying the Negev landscape, all the way to Eilat. The race will then move on to Italy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt will be dramatic in terms of the scenery,\u201d said Adams, who maintained that the Gyro will benefit from Israel\u2019s scenic roads and sound weather, historical sites, restaurants and a wonderful cycling culture. \u201cFor the company that owns the Gyro, RCS, this is also a way for them to expand their brand, as Israel generates a lot of news.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Israel, Adams maintained that the race represents \u201can antidote to BDS.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He firmly believes that through cycling and sports in general, Israel has the opportunity to \u201cshowcase everything positive about the country to the world, showing the beauty of our country and exposing an accurate view of Israel that people don\u2019t always read about in local newspapers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2018Our fastest-growing sport\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The almost 60-year-old immigrated to Israel last year from Montreal, where he made his living in real estate.<\/p>\n<p>Continued Adams: \u201cIt is priceless to show viewers something different in non-polemical way\u2014let people come and see our open and pluralistic society. Let them see that we have 21 percent Arabs in our country\u2014many who join the army and work in the Knesset, who work as judges in the Supreme Court, as doctors, lawyers, as policeman, incorporated into every part of society.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Two teams from Arab countries will be participating in the race: from Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. \u201cBDS activists said they shouldn\u2019t come, and the athletes ignored them because they had two options: to participate in the Giro, the second-biggest completion in the world, or not,\u201d stated Adams.<\/p>\n<p>In all, some 22 teams from nearly 20 countries participate in the race, which comprises three weeks, or 21 days, of biking roughly 2,200 miles (about 3,500 kilometers).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_42750\" style=\"width: 216px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-ICA.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-42750\" class=\"wp-image-42750 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-ICA-206x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"206\" height=\"300\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-ICA-206x300.jpg 206w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-ICA-768x1117.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-ICA-704x1024.jpg 704w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-ICA.jpg 1218w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 206px) 100vw, 206px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 206px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 206\/300;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-42750\" class=\"wp-image-42750 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-ICA-206x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"206\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-ICA-206x300.jpg 206w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-ICA-768x1117.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-ICA-704x1024.jpg 704w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sylvan-Adams-ICA.jpg 1218w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 206px) 100vw, 206px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-42750\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sylvan Adams in his Israel Cycling Academy jersey. (Photo courtesy Israel Cycling Academy)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>For non-Jews around the world, the event \u201cwill show that Israel is open, free, democratic and safe, and move the needle when it comes to tourism by inviting a billion viewers to Israel,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Adams also voiced his hope that \u201cthe Jewish people will proud that Israel is hosting this event on its 70th anniversary. We must take great pride in the homeland of the Jewish people and its achievements. It belongs to all Jewish people, not just Israelis, but all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Outside of promoting Israel to non-Jews and Jew alike, another goal is to expand the already-strong cycling culture in Israel. Adams is the driving force behind Israel\u2019s only professional cycling team\u2014the Israel Cycling Academy, which is competing at the Giro\u2014as well as the man behind the building of the Middle East\u2019s first-ever velodrome, due to be completed this year in Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll around the country, there are hundreds of cyclists riding together and a growing number of cycling clubs,\u201d he related. \u201cIsrael can reach the highest of the sport and race internationally. By bringing the absolute best athletes in the world, who will ride right in front of peoples\u2019 homes, I\u2019m hopeful that Israeli kids and their parents will be inspired by the event, buy a bike and join our fast-growing sport.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Photos from the kickoff in Jerusalem:<\/p>\n<p>ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_toolbar\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/share-medium.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top: 5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/share-medium.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top: 5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_t=new Array(\"Twitter\",\"Facebook\",\"Google Plus\",\"Pinterest\",\"Linkedin\",\"Tumblr\",\"Email\");var hupso_background_t=\"#EAF4FF\";var hupso_border_t=\"#66CCFF\";var hupso_toolbar_size_t=\"medium\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_url_t=\"\";var hupso_title_t=\"Israel%20prepares%20for%20Giro%20d%27Italia%27s%20Big%20Start\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/share_toolbar.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":42749,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[9350,9351,8781,8790,8788,9349],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42748"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42748"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42748\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42783,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42748\/revisions\/42783"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42748"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42748"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}