\n<\/p>\n
One of cycling’s top teams has been urged by its title sponsor to drop ‘Israel’ from its name.<\/b><\/p>\n
The Israel-Premier Tech team were at the centre of several disruptions during this month’s Vuelta a Espana Grand Tour in Spain, as pro-Palestinian protests were staged over Israel’s war in Gaza.<\/p>\n
Sponsor Premier Tech said it “expects the team to evolve towards a new name excluding ‘Israel’, leading to a new identity and branding for the team”.<\/p>\n
The Canadian company could end its association from next season, adding “the current situation regarding the team’s name is no longer tenable”.<\/p>\n
It added: “We acknowledge and are mindful that the international situation has evolved significantly since our debut at the World Tour level in 2017.<\/p>\n
“This cycling season, we have continued to honour this commitment – while proactively engaging in discussions with the team and its partners. <\/p>\n
“The outcome of these discussions will be decisive in determining whether Premier Tech maintains its commitment to the team moving forward.”<\/p>\n
The Israel-Premier Tech squad, whose five British riders include four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Israeli-Canadian property billionaire Sylvan Adams.<\/p>\n
The team said they are “currently in the planning phase for 2026 team branding and will communicate any potential changes in due course”.<\/p>\n
Adams, 66, is closely associated with Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and has previously told BBC Sport he is a “self-appointed ambassador to Israel”.<\/a><\/p>\n Adams was invited to the White House with US President Donald Trump during the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel and other Emirati states, such as the UAE, in 2020.<\/p>\n The team’s British-based bike supplier Factor has also aired similar concerns.<\/p>\n “Without a name change, without a flag change, we won’t continue,” Factor’s founder Rob Gitelis told Cycling News.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n