The Israel-Premier Tech cycling team, home to four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, has been hit by a major crisis after its co-title sponsor, Premier Tech, announced its immediate withdrawal.
The Canadian company pulled its funding despite the team's recent pledge to rebrand and move away from its Israeli identity by the 2026 season.
A Sponsor's Decision
In a statement released on Friday, Premier Tech confirmed it was stepping down as co-title sponsor. The firm acknowledged the team's planned name change but stated the core reason for its sponsorship had been "overshadowed to a point where it has become untenable for us to continue."
This decision comes after a tumultuous period for the team, which was dogged by protests during September's Vuelta a España. Demonstrations, like one prominently seen in Bilbao, became a regular feature of the race, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the final stage in Madrid.
Fallout from the Vuelta Protests
The team's participation in the Vuelta acted as a catalyst for wider discontent. In the aftermath, further protests against Israel's war in Gaza were threatened at other European races and at next year's Tour de France Grand Départ in Barcelona.
The situation escalated to the point where rival teams considered boycotting events where Israel-Premier Tech was present. For security reasons, the team also withdrew from a series of autumn one-day races.
Internal pressures mounted as well. The squad's leading performer, Canadian rider Derek Gee – who finished an impressive fourth overall in this year's Giro d'Italia – announced he was cancelling his contract. Gee cited "serious concerns" and stated that "certain issues simply made my continuation at the team untenable."
An Uncertain Future and a Painful Rebrand
Despite this significant setback, the team is understood to be pushing ahead with its plans for the 2026 season. The management had previously stated in September that a rebrand was "essential to securing the future of the team."
Other sponsors, including Factor Bikes, had also publicly called for changes to the team's identity. The rebranding decision, however, was met with profound disappointment from the team's high-profile owner, Sylvan Adams.
Adams, who describes himself as a "self-appointed ambassador to Israel" and is a confidante of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said: "This is a very painful moment in my life... I cannot, at this moment, continue to take an active part in a team that no longer bears the name Israel."
This comment came after Netanyahu had previously praised the team for not "giving in to hate" following the pro-Palestine protests at the Vuelta.
