Cycling Squad Announces Identity Change for 2026 Racing Year

Throughout last month's Vuelta a Espana, the squad faced multiple disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters organized protests regarding Israel's military campaign in Gaza

Team representatives described the recent period as "an incredibly challenging period" but acknowledged "the necessity for transformation"

"Having strong commitment to our riders, staff, and important partners, the decision has been made to rebrand and re-brand the team, moving departing from its present Israeli identity"

"In sport, advancement often requires sacrifice, and this step is crucial to ensuring the long-term viability of the organization"

Team Background and Composition

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes several British riders among them four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and owned by Canadian-Israeli property billionaire Sylvan Adams

Initially founded as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been supported by Canada-based company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Protests

Throughout the three-week Vuelta, numerous demonstrations and disruptions took place, primarily focusing on the involvement of the cycling team

Midway during the competition, the squad ceased using their full team name on their cycling uniforms

The final stage of the tour around Madrid was called off following Palestinian-supporting protests that caused scuffles with riders and obstructed the route in multiple places

Recent Changes

As part of the restructuring, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will step back from his day-to-day responsibilities and will cease act on the team's representation

This 66-year-old businessman has been strongly associated with Benjamin Netanyahu's government and has formerly described himself as a "self-appointed representative to the nation"

International Reaction

World cycling regulatory body the UCI has declared it will persist to welcome Israeli athletes at its competitions despite calls for athletic boycotts

Following United Nations commission findings that declared the nation has performed genocide against Palestinian people in the territory - a allegation that Israel rejects - there have been increasing demands for the nation to be suspended from international football competition

Background of Hostilities

Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-organized assault on southern Israel on October 7th 2023, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 others were captured

Based on data from the territory's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 people have been fatally injured in Israeli attacks in the territory since then

Perspective: Business Image Factors

This choice represents a major admission by the squad and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is causing unease in places such as professional sport

The owner's involvement in Israeli political affairs is well known, although not officially designated

This team started primarily thanks to the owner's enthusiasm for professional cycling, and belief that the activity can unite communities more together in parts of the globe distant from its European heartland

Despite several major cycling tour stage victories, Israel-Premier Tech has found the competition level challenging going at times at the elite tier, and is unable to risk to jeopardize sponsors such as Canada's pesticide experts Premier Tech

Being a billionaire entrepreneur, Adams recognizes that corporate image is everything