Cycling Squad Confirms Identity Change for 2026 Season

During the recent Vuelta a Espana, the team faced multiple interruptions as Palestinian-supporting protesters organized protests against Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Team representatives characterized the past few months as "a particularly difficult time" but recognized "the need for change"

"Having steadfast commitment to our cyclists, staff, and valued partners, the choice has been made to rebrand and restructure the team, moving departing from its present Israeli branding"

"Within sports, progress often demands compromise, and this step is essential to ensuring the long-term viability of the team"

Team History and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes five British riders including four-time French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Israeli-Canadian real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

Initially established as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been sponsored by Canada-based corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Protests

During the 21-day Vuelta, numerous demonstrations and interruptions occurred, primarily focusing on the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech

Halfway during the competition, the squad stopped using their complete name on their cycling uniforms

The final stage of the race around the Spanish capital was cancelled following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that caused scuffles with riders and blocked the route in multiple places

Recent Changes

As part of the restructuring, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his daily role and will cease speak on the squad's behalf

The sixty-six-year-old entrepreneur has been strongly associated with Benjamin Netanyahu's government and has previously referred to himself as a "unofficial ambassador to the nation"

Global Response

International professional cycling regulatory body the UCI has declared it will continue to accept Israel-based athletes at its events despite demands for athletic boycotts

After United Nations investigation conclusions that stated the nation has committed genocide against Palestinians in the territory - a claim that the government denies - there have been growing demands for the country to be suspended from international soccer tournaments

Context of Hostilities

The Israeli defense forces initiated a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-organized assault on southern the country on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 others were captured

Based on reports from the region's Hamas-run health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been fatally injured in Israeli attacks in the territory since that time

Perspective: Business Image Factors

This choice constitutes a major admission by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is causing unease in environments such as elite sport

The owner's engagement in Israeli political affairs is well known, though not officially designated

The team began largely thanks to Adams' enthusiasm for professional cycling, and conviction that the activity can unite communities closer united in regions of the globe distant from its continental traditional base

Regardless of several major cycling tour stage wins, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the pace challenging going at points at the elite tier, and is unable to afford to lose financial backers such as Canada's agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

As a billionaire businessman, Adams understands that corporate image is paramount