Nearly 200 demonstrators congregated near the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal route on Sunday to voice their opposition to the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team’s involvement in the event. The protesters, brandishing Palestinian flags, vocally expressed their disapproval with chants such as “Boycott the Grand Prix, boycott IPT” and “solidarity with Palestine,” accompanied by rhythmic drumbeats.
The gathering took place at the base of Mount Royal along Avenue du Parc, where barriers were set up along the course. Notable among the scene was a large yellow sign planted in the ground bearing the message: “Israel-Premier Tech ambassador of genocide.” Law enforcement presence was conspicuous, with officers on foot, bicycles, and even horseback.
Montreal police representative Manuel Couture disclosed that seven individuals were apprehended during the protests, primarily for impeding police operations, assaulting an officer, and committing assault. There were four instances of mischief through graffiti, although no arrests were made in connection with these incidents.
Organized by groups like Cyclists for Palestine, Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU), and Divest for Palestine, the demonstration aimed to mobilize citizens and call on event organizers and sponsors to exclude the Israel-Premier Tech team, which they accused of complicity in genocide. The organizations criticized the team for engaging in “sportswashing,” a term denoting the use of sports to enhance an entity’s image and conceal wrongdoings.
Safa Chebbi, a spokesperson for Divest For Palestine, emphasized the protest’s intent to oppose whitewashing genocide through sports. The groups highlighted that the demonstration was a final recourse following previous actions such as petitions, open letters, and appeals to municipal authorities.
The protesters gathered outside the official event hotel in downtown Montreal the night before, and a smaller group had demonstrated at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec race in Quebec City earlier. Recent protests against Israel-Premier Tech also impacted the Spanish Vuelta, prompting the team to remove any Israel-related references from their jerseys. Despite disruptions at the Vuelta, the Montreal race proceeded without interruptions.
American cyclist Brandon McNulty emerged victorious in the Montreal race, with support from teammate Tadej Pogacar. Israel-Premier Tech, co-owned by Canadian-Israeli Sylvan Adams, initially promoted its riders as ambassadors for Israel but later rebranded as a “professional cycling team” amidst the ongoing protests.
In a show of solidarity with Palestine and a call for peace, protesters like Karim and Julie Lambert expressed their motivations for joining the demonstration against Israel-Premier Tech’s participation in the Grand Prix. The team features Canadian riders such as Pier-Andre Cote, Michael Woods, Hugo Houle, Guillaume Boivin, Riley Pickrell, and Derek Gee, who is embroiled in a contractual dispute with the team. Former Canadian cycling star Steve Bauer serves as the team’s sporting manager.
Premier Tech, the team’s main sponsor, is headquartered in Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec. Canadian rider Hugo Houle secured the highest Canadian finish, placing 44th in the competition.
