The pressure is growing: Main sponsor Premier Tech demands name change for Israel-Premier Tech
Leon Weidner
· 25.09.2025
The pressure on the cycling team Israel - Premier Tech continues to grow. After the bicycle manufacturer Factor, the main sponsor Premier Tech is now also demanding a name change and the removal of the word "Israel" from the team name. "The current situation regarding the team name is no longer sustainable for the achievement of our goals," reads a statement from the Canadian packaging machine manufacturer, which was published on the Radio Canada website. Specifically, the sponsor expects "the team to adopt a new name without the term Israel and to adopt a new identity and brand image." Premier Tech emphasises in the statement that it has been involved in cycling for over 30 years in order to support Canadian athletes. In the current situation, however, this mission is no longer sustainable.
The demand for a name change comes after the team was affected by massive pro-Palestinian protests during the Vuelta a España. Several stages of the Spanish tour had to be shortened or even cancelled completely because demonstrators protested against the participation of the Israeli team. In response, Israel - Premier Tech had already removed the "Israel" logo from the riders' clothing and team vehicles during the Vuelta.
Bicycle manufacturer Factor threatens to pull out
The bike manufacturer Factor, which provides the bikes for the team, had already threatened to pull out at the beginning of the week. "I have already told the team: without a name change, without a flag change, we will not continue," explained Factor founder Rob Gitelis in an interview with cyclingnews.com. The UK-based cycling sponsor had thus clearly positioned himself and put pressure on the team's management.
Team Israel - Premier Tech, led by Sylvan Adams, announced at the request of Cyclingnews announced that they were "currently in the planning phase for the 2026 team branding" and that possible changes would be "announced in due course". Time is pressing, however, as the decision must be made by 15 October. This is the deadline for the UCI's registration period for the coming season, which also determines the nationality of the teams.
Protests overshadow cycling season
The protests against Team Israel - Premier Tech have had a significant impact on cycling in recent weeks. The situation was particularly dramatic at the Vuelta a España, the final stage of which had to be cancelled in Madrid due to massive demonstrations. Around 100,000 demonstrators had gathered in the Spanish capital to protest against the Israeli team and Israel's policy in the Gaza conflict.
The team's sports director even reported death threats against the racing team during the Vuelta. The protests were not limited to Spain, but also continued at the Canadian WorldTour races GP Québec and GP Montréal - in the immediate vicinity of Premier Tech's headquarters, which is located in Rivière-du-Loup in the province of Québec.
Effects on future races
The discussion surrounding Team Israel-Premier Tech is already having an impact on the planning of future races. The director of the Spanish stage race O Gran Camiño, Ezequiel Mosquera, has already announced that the team will not be invited in its current form in 2026. The final stage of the Vuelta on the Canary Islands planned for 2026 is also in doubt, as the president of the island council of Gran Canaria has announced his opposition to the participation of the Israeli team.
Particularly explosive: Barcelona is to host the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2026. However, this event could also be jeopardised. David Escudé, the sports councillor of the Catalan capital, has taken a clear stance: "We want teams competing under the Israeli flag to no longer be allowed to compete under this flag, as was the case with Russia." He emphasised that this applies not only to cycling, but to all international events in which teams compete under the Israeli flag.
Leon Weidner
Working student
