Sponsor ‘expects’ team to drop ‘Israel’ from name

The title sponsor has urged one of cycling’s best teams to remove the word “Israel” from its name.

As pro-Palestinian demonstrations were staged in Spain this month’s Vuelta a Espana Grand Tour, the Israel-Premier Tech team was the subject of a number of disruptions.

Sponsor Premier Tech predicted that the team would “evolve toward a new name excluding “Israel,” giving rise to a new identity and brand.

The Canadian business could discontinue its association after the following season, stating that “the team’s current situation is no longer tenable.”

It continued, “We acknowledge and are aware that the world has changed significantly since our World Tour 2017 debut.”

We have continued to honor this commitment this cycling season while actively engaging in discussions with the team and its partners.

The outcome of these discussions will determine whether Premier Tech continues to support the team as it progresses.

Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome is a member of the Israel-Premier Tech squad, which is owned by Israeli-Canadian property billionaire Sylvan Adams and is made up of Israeli-born Israelis.

The team stated that they are “currently in the planning phase for 2026 team branding” and will update themselves as needed.

Adams, 66, has previously claimed to be a “self-appointed ambassador to Israel” and is closely associated with Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration.

At the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel and other Emirati states, including the UAE, in 2020, Adams and US President Donald Trump were invited to the White House.

Similar concerns have also been raised by the team’s British-based bike supplier Factor.

During the Vuelta, the team removed the name “Israel” from their jerseys.

On stage five, four riders were forced to stop to avoid hitting protesters who were unfurling a banner, as a result of pro-Palestinian protests.

Derek Gee, one of the team’s best riders, abruptly terminated his contract with them just days before his Vuelta debut, prompting the team to seek legal counsel and support from cycling’s world-governing body, the UCI.

Without describing those issues or citing any connection between his decision to the Gaza situation, Gee, who had previously been in negotiations to extend his contract, said, “some things just made my continued employment at the team untenable.”

Tom Pidcock, a third-place finisher in the Vuelta, expressed concern for riders who were targeted.

They are riding because they have the chance to compete on bikes all over the world, he said.

After being expelled from the World Tour in 2022, the team is now a part of cycling’s second ProTeam tier, but with their large-money supporters, a return to the World Tour in 2026 is anticipated.

In response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the hostage of 251, the Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza.