On October 6, 2025, the world of professional cycling was rocked by a monumental announcement: Israel–Premier Tech, a team that’s become a familiar name in the peloton, will undergo a sweeping rebrand for the 2026 season, dropping “Israel” from its name and distancing itself from its Israeli identity. The decision, made public in a series of statements across the team’s official channels and echoed by cycling media worldwide, marks a dramatic shift for a squad long associated with both sporting ambition and political symbolism.
This move comes after months of mounting pressure—both external and internal. The tipping point was the 2025 Vuelta a España, where mass pro-Palestinian protests repeatedly disrupted the race. Several stages were neutralized or rerouted, culminating in the cancellation of the final stage and podium in Madrid due to security concerns. The unrest didn’t stop there: organizers of the Giro dell’Emilia, an Italian late-season classic, pulled Israel–Premier Tech from their start list, and the team subsequently withdrew from other Italian races amid escalating safety fears.
The protests weren’t the only catalyst. Key sponsors, including Quebec-based Premier Tech and bike manufacturer Factor, openly demanded change. Rob Gitelis, founder of Factor Bikes, didn’t mince words earlier in the year: “Without a name change, without a flag change, we won’t continue.” Premier Tech echoed those sentiments, stating, “The current situation regarding the team name is no longer sustainable to achieve our goal, which is the very reason for our involvement in cycling.” The message was clear: adapt or risk losing vital financial backing.
For team owner and co-founder Sylvan Adams, the decision to step back from day-to-day involvement was equally seismic. Adams, a Canadian-Israeli billionaire and self-styled ambassador for Israeli cycling, has poured considerable resources into the project since its inception as the Cycling Academy eleven years ago. In the team’s official statement, Adams affirmed, “With steadfast commitment to our riders, staff, and valued partners, the decision has been made to rename and rebrand the team, moving away from its current Israeli identity. In sport, progress often requires sacrifice, and this step is essential to securing the future of the team.” He will now focus on his role as President of the World Jewish Congress, Israel, suspending all active involvement with the squad.
The rebrand is more than cosmetic. While the team remains registered in Israel for now, the intent is to pivot toward a global, neutral identity, emphasizing the development of cycling talent from around the world. The squad’s leadership has yet to reveal its new name, flag registration, or branding direction, but the message is unmistakable: the era of Israel–Premier Tech as a national symbol is ending, replaced by a broader, more inclusive vision.
This transition, however, is not without its challenges. The team must confirm its new name and identity by October 10, 2025, to comply with UCI WorldTour licensing procedures. There are also questions about how the rebrand will affect staffing, sponsorship alignment, and, perhaps most crucially, rider sentiment. Will fans, race organizers, and cycling’s governing bodies accept a team that seeks to shed its national ties while retaining elements of its legacy? Or will the move spark further debate within the sport?
The story of Israel–Premier Tech is one of ambition, perseverance, and adaptation. Founded in 2014 as the Cycling Academy, the squad set out to nurture young talent from non-traditional cycling countries, with a special focus on Israel. Over the past eleven years, it has experienced the full spectrum of professional sport: the thrill of Tour de France stage wins, the sting of relegation, and the hard-fought return to WorldTour status, which is set for 2026 after the team finished among the top eighteen UCI-classified squads over the last three seasons.
Despite its sporting achievements, the team’s identity has always been a double-edged sword. While not state-sponsored, its registration in Israel and the presence of three Israeli riders on the 2025 roster made it a lightning rod for political protest—especially amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The past year saw that tension boil over, with the cycling world forced to confront the intersection of sport, politics, and global activism in an unprecedented way.
Throughout the turmoil, the team’s leadership has consistently emphasized its commitment to its riders and staff. As the official statement put it, “The team takes pride in its achievements on the road, but even more so in the culture it has built within. This culture has been the foundation that enabled the team to overcome the challenges of recent months, standing firmly behind our riders and staff during an incredibly difficult period.” It’s a sentiment echoed by many in the cycling community, who recognize that, for all the headlines, the heart of the team remains its people and their shared pursuit of excellence.
Looking ahead, the rebrand could serve as a blueprint for other teams navigating the increasingly complex relationship between sport and geopolitics. Can a professional squad truly become “neutral” in a world where national identity and global sponsorship are so deeply intertwined? The coming months will provide answers, as Israel–Premier Tech prepares to unveil its new identity and chart a course for the future.
For now, the team’s commitment to developing global cycling talent remains unchanged. “Although a new chapter awaits, one that will be revealed soon, the team will remain true to its founding promise: to develop cycling talent from around the world,” the statement assured fans. The next few weeks will be crucial, as management works to finalize the team’s new name and secure its place in the WorldTour peloton for 2026 and beyond.
As the dust settles, one thing is certain: the transformation of Israel–Premier Tech marks a pivotal moment not just for the team, but for professional cycling as a whole. It’s a bold gamble—one that could redefine how modern teams handle politics, protest, and brand identity in the high-stakes world of international sport. The cycling world will be watching closely as this new era begins to unfold.
