The Israel-Premier Tech cycling team will drop “Israel” from its name from next season, following months of controversy and protest linked to the war in Gaza.
The decision comes after the team faced multiple disruptions during last month’s Vuelta a España, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators targeted their participation. The final stage of the three-week Spanish race was cancelled after protests led to scuffles with riders and blockages along the course.
In a statement, the team said recent months had been “an incredibly difficult period” and acknowledged the need for change. “With steadfast commitment to our riders, staff, and valued partners, the decision has been made to rename and re-brand the team, moving away from its current Israeli identity,” they said. “In sport, progress often requires sacrifice, and this step is essential to securing the future of the team.”
The Israeli-registered squad, owned by Israeli-Canadian property billionaire Sylvan Adams, currently includes five British riders, among them four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome. Founded in 2014 as the Israel Cycling Academy, the team has been sponsored by Canadian company Premier Tech since 2022.
Premier Tech had previously indicated that a rebranding would take effect from the 2026 season, though the team has already stopped using its full name on jerseys midway through the Vuelta. The team was also uninvited from last weekend’s Giro dell’Emilia race in Italy due to concerns over further disruptions.
As part of the structural changes, Sylvan Adams will step back from day-to-day involvement and will no longer serve as a spokesperson. Adams, 66, is closely aligned with Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and has described himself as a “self-appointed ambassador to Israel” in past interviews.
Calls for sporting boycotts have intensified since the United Nations commission of inquiry declared that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza — a claim Israel strongly denies. The military campaign began following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, at least 67,139 people have since been killed in Israeli attacks.
Despite growing political pressure, world cycling’s governing body, the UCI, has stated it will continue to welcome Israeli athletes at its events. Adam Hansen, president of the professional cyclists’ union, said that shortening races may be necessary in future to deal with protests.
