This week saw the opening of a new Israeli cycling school in Akko; the project co-established by Team Saxo Bank and the Peres Center for Peace is intended to bring a range of cycling activities to both Jewish and Muslim children in an area previously troubled by segregation. Alberto Contador was on hand for the opening and clearly enjoying the change of pace from the recent fraught weeks: ‘It’s been a lot of fun working with the kids today. I enjoy seeing how easily they smile and have a good time in spite of their differences and in spite the lack of cycling experience as many never rode a bike before coming here today. So the project is about helping these kids to a healthy lifestyle and to teach them to navigate in the streets and in life.’ commented the Spaniard.
Commenting on the long process to establish the school Bjarne Riis, Saxon Bank’s owner added “It’s been a long journey through the night but we came through and the school was ready when the kids arrived. I saw them really having a good time and they were drawn to the bike and the new challenge and I hope they’ll continue using the place and continue leading an active life. It’s been a huge goal for me and the team to get this project done and the whole team made it happen by hard and effective team work.”
