Teams & Riders Israel Premier Tech

[Devil's Elbow]

Missed this yesterday, but Premier Tech are taking basically the same stance as Factor.

It is becoming increasingly hard to see how the team continues in its current form. Premier Tech could perhaps be replaced by one or multiple Israeli companies who join under an I stand with Sylvan Adams credo, but that would only make it harder to convince any bike brand to replace Factor because the optics become worse. Yet at the same time, Adams does not strike me as the kind of guy who is going to back down easily, especially not in the context that has created this situation. Painting himself as the victim of pro-Palestinian protestors could well be both more personally appealing and more beneficial to his non-IPT interests than backing/stepping down as a result of their pressure. So it's entirely possible that no compromise is reached and IPT fold at the last minute.

 

[Netserk]

Had it not been for 3 years of WT status guaranteed, I think the team would fold or scale down a lot.

But now they are certain to ride the Tour, and with several other teams likely to fold, many riders will be happy for a WT spot, no matter where.

So I think it's more likely that they'll continue under the Israeli banner than fold. Most of this season went fine, so Adams could think that the team only needs to weather this storm and then turn the page next year.

 

[Red Rick]

I actually doubt many riders would happily take a spot on IPT over even PCT spots.

 

[tobydawq]

I actually doubt many riders would happily take a spot on IPT over even PCT spots.

Maybe Froome can get a five year extension?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

So I think it's more likely that they'll continue under the Israeli banner than fold.

Who would they be getting their bikes and other equipment from in that scenario? This was a big part of why Gazprom-Rusvelo could not continue under a non-Russian license. Especially groupsets could be a big issue because of how oligopolic that market is.

 

[Netserk]

Who would they be getting their bikes and other equipment from in that scenario? This was a big part of why Gazprom-Rusvelo could not continue under a non-Russian license. Especially groupsets could be a big issue because of how oligopolic that market is.

I'd assume they can ride on unbranded equipment.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Selling of the teams, something similar to Chelsea and Abramovich story, that IMHO is the most likely outcome.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

I actually doubt many riders would happily take a spot on IPT over even PCT spots.

They could probably fill up the team with israelian riders and Girmays entourage. Then ride around for 3 years and fold after relegation.

 

[search]

Who would they be getting their bikes and other equipment from in that scenario? This was a big part of why Gazprom-Rusvelo could not continue under a non-Russian license. Especially groupsets could be a big issue because of how oligopolic that market is.

I'd assume they can ride on unbranded equipment.

there are numbers of new Chinese bike manufacturers, now sponsoring what feels like half the conti scene. One of them would probably be willing to take over.

 

[Rob5091]

Factor and PT both complaining now, I see. The logical thing is change to a Canadian team and drop the Israel bit, but Adams has probably friends in Jerusalem who would not like it.

 

[yaco]

Unless, Adams wants to solely fund the term under the current conditions then its doubtful he'll have a team because I doubt he will have the budget and anyway riders wil leave.

 

[pastronef]

Unless, Adams wants to solely fund the term under the current conditions then its doubtful he'll have a team because I doubt he will have the budget and anyway riders wil leave.

Adams' wealth would have no problem funding the team. problem is I don't see them continuing with Israel license and name. or at least, if they do, they won't be able to set foot in Spain in 2026

 

[yaco]

Adams' wealth would have no problem funding the team. problem is I don't see them continuing with Israel license and name. or at least, if they do, they won't be able to set foot in Spain in 2026

And will riders stick with the team under such duress.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Factor and PT both complaining now, I see. The logical thing is change to a Canadian team and drop the Israel bit, but Adams has probably friends in Jerusalem who would not like it.

Wouldn’t changing the name kind of defeat the point for Adams? Seems like he’s more likely to shut the team down, but I’m not very informed on this.

 

[pastronef]

And will riders stick with the team under such duress.

if they avoid the Spanish races maybe...

 

[Mayomaniac]

there are numbers of new Chinese bike manufacturers, now sponsoring what feels like half the conti scene. One of them would probably be willing to take over.

Get an open mold frame and put Tractor (written like the Factor logo) on it!

 

[aphronesis]

Israel-Premier Tech title sponsor calls for removal of ‘Israel’ from cycling team name after Vuelta protests

Protests directed at the cycling team contributed to three stages of the Vuelta being neutralised due to rider safety concerns.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Potomac]

Israel-Premier Tech title sponsor calls for removal of ‘Israel’ from cycling team name after Vuelta protests

Protests directed at the cycling team contributed to three stages of the Vuelta being neutralised due to rider safety concerns.

www.nytimes.com

Link is behind a paywall

 

[aphronesis]

I thought the Times still had a handful of free, unregistered clicks

protests​

Jessica Hopkins
Sept. 24, 2025Updated 10:13 am EDT

The title sponsor of Israel-Premier Tech has called for the cycling team to remove ‘Israel’ from its name after being targeted by pro-Palestine protestors during the Vuelta a Espana.
Premier Tech described the situation as “no longer tenable” in a statement and said discussions would take place over its future with the team.
The Canadian tech company has been the team’s title sponsor since 2022.
“The current situation regarding the team’s name is no longer tenable, keeping us from fulfilling our goal and the very reason why we are involved in cycling,” a Premier Tech statement read.
“As a sponsor of a cycling team, one of our key commitments is to the 150+ riders and team staff, as well as to their families. This cycling season, we have continued to honour this commitment — while proactively engaging in discussions with the team and its partners.
“The outcome of these discussions will be decisive in determining whether Premier Tech maintains its commitment to the team moving forward. We expect the team to evolve toward a new name excluding “Israel”, leading to a new identity and branding for the team.”
WHAT YOU SHOULD READ NEXT

Vuelta a Espana chief insists sport and protests can ‘absolutely coexist’ after final stage cancelled
Three stages out of 21 in the 2025 Vuelta were neutralised early due to the safety risk, with many others disrupted.
Factor, IPT’s bike sponsor, told Cyclingnews that they are considering a similar course of action.
“I’ve already told the team: Without a name change, without a flag change, we won’t continue,” Factor founder Rob Gitelis said.
A spokesperson from Israel-Premier Tech said: “The team is currently in the planning phase for 2026 team branding and will communicate any potential changes in due course.”
The Spanish grand tour had three of its 21 stages neutralised early following the protests, with the finish to the final stage cancelled on security grounds due to mass demonstrations in Madrid.

Protests in Madrid cancelled the Vuelta’s podium ceremony (Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images)
Before stage 14, IPT changed its branding to remove ‘Israel’ from their riders’ jerseys due to safety concerns. The team is not state-owned, although its co-owner Sylvan Adams has referred to himself as the “self-appointed Ambassador at large for the state of Israel”.
During the tour, Intermarche-Wanty’s Simone Petilli and Movistar’s Javier Romo crashed due to protestors, with the latter forced to abandon the race due to his injuries from the 15th stage.
The sport’s governing body, the UCI, condemned the protests in a statement, calling them a “serious violation of the Olympic Charter and the fundamental principles of sport”.
In response, Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD) sent a letter to the head of the UCI, David Lappartient, arguing if protests are a “just and noble one in defence of human rights” then the actions are a “moral obligation”.
“We acknowledge and are mindful that the international situation has evolved significantly since our debut at the WorldTour level in 2017,” Premier Tech’s statement read.
“Involved in cycling for over 30 years, Premier Tech has always placed the development of the sport and of Québec and Canadian cyclists at the heart of its commitment.
“Premier Tech’s ambition in cycling has always been to build bridges across every level of the sport, paving the way for athletes and staff to achieve their full potential. That is why Premier Tech is committed to cycling and will continue to do so.”
(Photo: Miguel Riopa/AFP via Getty Images)

 

[Extinction]

I thought the Times still had a handful of free, unregistered clicks

protests​

Jessica Hopkins
Sept. 24, 2025Updated 10:13 am EDT

The title sponsor of Israel-Premier Tech has called for the cycling team to remove ‘Israel’ from its name after being targeted by pro-Palestine protestors during the Vuelta a Espana.
Premier Tech described the situation as “no longer tenable” in a statement and said discussions would take place over its future with the team.
The Canadian tech company has been the team’s title sponsor since 2022.
“The current situation regarding the team’s name is no longer tenable, keeping us from fulfilling our goal and the very reason why we are involved in cycling,” a Premier Tech statement read.
“As a sponsor of a cycling team, one of our key commitments is to the 150+ riders and team staff, as well as to their families. This cycling season, we have continued to honour this commitment — while proactively engaging in discussions with the team and its partners.
“The outcome of these discussions will be decisive in determining whether Premier Tech maintains its commitment to the team moving forward. We expect the team to evolve toward a new name excluding “Israel”, leading to a new identity and branding for the team.”
WHAT YOU SHOULD READ NEXT

Vuelta a Espana chief insists sport and protests can ‘absolutely coexist’ after final stage cancelled
Three stages out of 21 in the 2025 Vuelta were neutralised early due to the safety risk, with many others disrupted.
Factor, IPT’s bike sponsor, told Cyclingnews that they are considering a similar course of action.
“I’ve already told the team: Without a name change, without a flag change, we won’t continue,” Factor founder Rob Gitelis said.
A spokesperson from Israel-Premier Tech said: “The team is currently in the planning phase for 2026 team branding and will communicate any potential changes in due course.”
The Spanish grand tour had three of its 21 stages neutralised early following the protests, with the finish to the final stage cancelled on security grounds due to mass demonstrations in Madrid.

Protests in Madrid cancelled the Vuelta’s podium ceremony (Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images)
Before stage 14, IPT changed its branding to remove ‘Israel’ from their riders’ jerseys due to safety concerns. The team is not state-owned, although its co-owner Sylvan Adams has referred to himself as the “self-appointed Ambassador at large for the state of Israel”.
During the tour, Intermarche-Wanty’s Simone Petilli and Movistar’s Javier Romo crashed due to protestors, with the latter forced to abandon the race due to his injuries from the 15th stage.
The sport’s governing body, the UCI, condemned the protests in a statement, calling them a “serious violation of the Olympic Charter and the fundamental principles of sport”.
In response, Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD) sent a letter to the head of the UCI, David Lappartient, arguing if protests are a “just and noble one in defence of human rights” then the actions are a “moral obligation”.
“We acknowledge and are mindful that the international situation has evolved significantly since our debut at the WorldTour level in 2017,” Premier Tech’s statement read.
“Involved in cycling for over 30 years, Premier Tech has always placed the development of the sport and of Québec and Canadian cyclists at the heart of its commitment.
“Premier Tech’s ambition in cycling has always been to build bridges across every level of the sport, paving the way for athletes and staff to achieve their full potential. That is why Premier Tech is committed to cycling and will continue to do so.”
(Photo: Miguel Riopa/AFP via Getty Images)

Causa et effectus.

 

[Brullnux]

Good job on cycling making itself a target.

Cycling didn't make itself a target, this is happening across every sport in Europe. The difference is that stadium-based sports just play behind closed doors whenever there is a risk of disruption (happening for almost every Israel match) and cycling can't do that.

Besides, UEFA are rumoured to be close to suspending Israel (and its teams). This is not a cycling-centric issue and cycling is not the only sport facing disruption.

 

[Red Rick]

Cycling didn't make itself a target, this is happening across every sport in Europe. The difference is that stadium-based sports just play behind closed doors whenever there is a risk of disruption (happening for almost every Israel match) and cycling can't do that.

Besides, UEFA are rumoured to be close to suspending Israel (and its teams). This is not a cycling-centric issue and cycling is not the only sport facing disruption.

I'd argue the Vuelta actually influenced the push to ban Israel from other sports. But I heavily doubt it's gonna happen from the top down simply because of the World Cup and Olympics in the US.

Guess we have to hope someone buys out the license or the sponsors make some settlement with the team owner to get it done, like how Rabobank fulfilled it's funding for 2013 but got themselves off the jerseys and they went around as Team Blanco for a while.

 

[pastronef]

I'd argue the Vuelta actually influenced the push to ban Israel from other sports. But I heavily doubt it's gonna happen from the top down simply because of the World Cup and Olympics in the US.

Guess we have to hope someone buys out the license or the sponsors make some settlement with the team owner to get it done, like how Rabobank fulfilled it's funding for 2013 but got themselves off the jerseys and they went around as Team Blanco for a while.

or T-Mobile funding High-Road.
Adams needs to sell the team to Premiertech (or other sponsor) and they'd get a Canadian license. also, as of now, they have no Israeli riders officially signed for 2026 (procyclingstats)

 

[TheKidsCallMeBoss]

UEFA members in favour of banning israel from European football next week


How much longer will the corrupt french guy at the head of the UCI continue to pretend that everything is fine?

 

[CyclistAbi]

Looks like UEFA will vote in regards to possible suspension next weak meanwhile and AFAIK UCI hasn't even made any official statement in this regards.