Cycling Squad Confirms Identity Change Starting in 2026 Racing Year

Throughout the recent Spanish cycling tour, the squad faced multiple disruptions as Palestinian-supporting protesters staged protests against the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Team officials characterized the past few months as "an incredibly difficult time" but acknowledged "the need for transformation"

"Having strong dedication to our cyclists, team members, and important sponsors, the decision has been made to rebrand and restructure the squad, shifting away from its current Israel-linked identity"

"Within sports, advancement often requires compromise, and this measure is essential to securing the long-term viability of the team"

Squad Background and Composition

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

Originally established as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been sponsored by Canadian company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

Throughout the 21-day Spanish tour, numerous protests and interruptions occurred, primarily targeting the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Halfway during the competition, the team ceased using their full name on their jerseys

The final leg of the tour around the Spanish capital was called off following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that resulted in altercations with riders and obstructed the course in multiple places

Recent Changes

Within the restructuring, team owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his day-to-day responsibilities and will cease speak on the squad's representation

This 66-year-old businessman has been strongly linked with the Israeli government and has formerly described himself as a "self-appointed ambassador to Israel"

International Reaction

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

After UN commission findings that stated Israel has performed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - a claim that the government denies - there have been growing demands for the country to be suspended from global soccer competition

Background of Conflict

Israeli military initiated a operation in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-organized assault on southern regions of Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 additional people were taken hostage

Based on reports from the region's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 people have been fatally injured in Israel's military actions in Gaza since then

Analysis: Corporate Branding Factors

This choice constitutes a major admission by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is creating unease in places such as elite sport

The owner's engagement in Israel's political affairs is widely recognized, though not formally assigned

This team started primarily thanks to the owner's passion for cycling, and conviction that the activity can bring societies closer together in regions of the world distant from its European heartland

Despite several major cycling tour leg wins, the team has found the pace hard to maintain at times at the top tier, and cannot afford to lose sponsors such as Canadian pesticide specialists Premier Tech

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