🔗 Share this article Cycling Team Confirms Identity Change for 2026 Season The cycling team has encountered demonstrations from Palestinian-supporting activists Israel-Premier Tech cycling team will remove the Israeli reference from their name beginning from the 2026 season Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the team faced multiple interruptions as Palestinian-supporting protesters organized protests regarding the Israeli military campaign in Gaza Squad officials characterized the recent period as "a particularly challenging period" but acknowledged "the necessity for change" "With steadfast dedication to our riders, staff, and valued partners, the choice has been made to rebrand and re-brand the team, moving departing from its current Israel-linked branding" "In sport, advancement often demands sacrifice, and this step is crucial to securing the future of the team" Team Background and Structure Israel-Premier Tech squad, which includes several UK riders among them multiple French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Israeli-Canadian real estate tycoon Sylvan Adams Initially founded as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been sponsored by Canadian company Premier Tech since 2022 Recent Incidents and Protests Throughout the three-week Vuelta, multiple protests and interruptions occurred, primarily targeting the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech Midway during the race, the squad stopped displaying their full name on their jerseys The final stage of the race around the Spanish capital was cancelled following pro-Palestinian protests that caused scuffles with riders and obstructed the course in multiple places Recent Developments As part of the changes, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day responsibilities and will cease speak on the squad's behalf This 66-year-old entrepreneur has been closely linked with the Israeli government and has formerly referred to himself as a "unofficial representative to the nation" Global Response World cycling governing organization the UCI has declared it will persist to accept Israel-based athletes at its events despite calls for sporting sanctions Following United Nations investigation findings that stated Israel has performed genocide against Palestinian people in the territory - a claim that Israel denies - there have been increasing calls for the nation to be suspended from international soccer competition Context of Conflict The Israeli defense forces initiated a operation in Gaza in reaction to the Hamas-led attack on southern regions of the country on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 additional people were captured Based on reports from the territory's Hamas-controlled health department, at least 67,139 people have been fatally injured in Israeli military actions in Gaza since that time Analysis: Business Image Factors The choice constitutes a major acknowledgment by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is causing unease in environments such as elite athletics Adams' involvement in Israeli politics is widely recognized, although not formally designated The team began primarily thanks to Adams' enthusiasm for professional cycling, and conviction that the sport can bring societies more together in regions of the globe away from its continental heartland Despite several major cycling tour stage victories, the team has experienced the pace hard to maintain at times at the top level, and cannot afford to lose financial backers such as Canadian pesticide specialists Premier Tech Being a multi-billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that business image is everything