The Israel-Premier Tech cycling team have been excluded from next month’s Giro dell’Emilia in Bologna over public safety concerns.

The decision follows disruption at the Vuelta a Espana this month, where the team were targeted by pro-Palestinian protests opposing Israel’s war in Gaza.

The event in Spain was affected by several incidents, with the final stage being abandoned after protesters entered part of the course.

There are fears the race in Italy on 4 October could be affected by similar disruptions after pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police in Milan on Monday during a nationwide strike called by trade unions against Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

“It is with regret that, following recent events and given the characteristics of the final circuit, for the safety of all athletes, technical staff, and spectators, I have had to forgo the participation of the team this year,” race organiser president Adriano Amici told Reuters.

The Giro dell’Emilia is the traditional autumn race in Bologna finishing near the city’s historic centre, which has a large student population and a long history of left-wing politics.

In recent days, various groups in Bologna have announced potential protests and attempts to halt the race.

On Friday, world cycling governing body the UCI said it will continue to welcome Israeli athletes at its competitions despite calls for sporting boycotts.

“We find it extremely regrettable that threats of violence have disrupted our sport,” a spokesperson for Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters.

“We wish the organisers a successful race.”

This week the Israel-Premier Tech squad’s title sponsor urged the team to drop the word ‘Israel’ from their name.

The team, whose five British riders include four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is Israeli registered and owned by Israeli-Canadian property billionaire Sylvan Adams.

After the United Nations commission of inquiry formally declared Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza – a claim Israel denies – there have been growing calls for the country to be suspended from international football competition.

The BBC has been told by a senior figure at one football federation that many nations are pushing for a vote on whether to throw Israel out of European football, and that the leadership of governing body Uefa wants to act.

The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

At least 65,549 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.

England never contemplated anything less than winning the Women’s World Cup in a landmark final at Twickenham, says captain Zoe Aldcroft.

The Red Roses swept aside Canada 33-13 at Allianz Stadium in front of 81,885 fans – a record for a women’s rugby match – three years after losing to New Zealand in the final of the previous World Cup.

“We had no doubt in our minds that we were not going to come out today and do this job,” she said.

“We hope we have inspired young girls out there to go and pick up a ball – any kind of ball, any kind of sport – and do whatever they want to in the world, because if you dream big enough you can get it.

“We dreamed big enough today.”

Fifteen years ago the Women’s World Cup final was played across the road at Twickenham Stoop, Harlequins’ home ground.

England lost to New Zealand in that final in front of a crowd of 13,253 – a record attendance for a women’s rugby match in England that stood for almost a decade.

“The most emotional part was coming off the bus and just seeing that people were standing in the stands,” said Aldcroft.

“It actually choked me up a little bit and I was like, ‘oh my goodness, this is it.’

“Coming out to 82,000 people was unbelievable and we could hear them supporting us the whole way through the game.

“We’re just so grateful and thankful for the opportunity to play in front of everyone today.”

Asked if England, who extended their record winning streak to 33 Tests, were the best side in women’s rugby history, Aldcroft said: “It definitely kind of feels like that.”

Head coach John Mitchell, who suffered semi-final defeat when he led his native New Zealand at the men’s World Cup in 2003 and was part of England’s men’s backroom staff when they lost in the 2019 final, said the consequences of potentially seeing another title slip away haunted him in the build-up to the final.

“I’ve tried to stay present, but the past jumped into my head and the future jumped into my head as well. I gave myself a few uppercuts and tried to stay present,” he said.

“It does create emotions and feelings that are unusual, especially when you get to a point where the opportunity is presented for us to do the job.

“I have now been part of bringing closure to a World Cup, which is very fulfilling.”

The 61-year-old said victory was proof of the quality of England’s spirit and togetherness as much as their skills on the pitch.

“We always knew that we were going to be good at the rugby, but ultimately our culture won,” he said.

“All 32 players – all the staff – brought into how we want to, what we value, and those values are guiding us to this point.

“I got out of the girls’ way this week. They just needed to finish what we started, and they certainly did that.”

England scrum-half Natasha Hunt said the scale of the win and the occasion was “unimaginable”.

Hunt, 36, is a veteran of England’s most recent World Cup win in 2014 and was controversially left out of the squad for the 2022 tournament.

“I don’t think any of us could have imagined it would have been like this,” she said.

“I am so proud of the girls. I hope this stays for women’s rugby.”

Abbie Ward, who scored England’s fifth and final try, said the victory was an achievement for the current team rather than redemption for the upset by New Zealand at Eden Park in the final of the previous tournament.

“The last final loss, that was then,” she said.

“This is a new team. This is a new chapter of women’s rugby. It wasn’t about righting wrongs. This is our little moment.

“This team has been special. What we’ve done has been special. The support, the crowd, the friends and family involved… it’s been magical.”

Centre Meg Jones, who missed out on the world player of the year award to Canada’s Sophie de Goede, praised England’s resilience.

“This game doesn’t care about adversity. It just cares about the repeated efforts you put in,” she said.

“It’s crazy. You only have to look at the Six Nations and how we’ve grown. It’s amazing how far we’ve come. Women’s sport is on a high. Let’s keep it there.”

England’s players will celebrate with the public at a free event at Battersea Power Station on Sunday from 14:00 BST.