Cycling team Israel-Premier Tech will remove “Israel” from its name from next season, following months of protests and controversy linked to the war in Gaza.
The Israeli-registered squad faced several disruptions during last month’s Vuelta a España, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators targeted the team over its national identity.
Organisers were forced to abandon the final stage in Madrid after protesters blocked parts of the course and clashed with riders.
Team officials said recent months had been “an incredibly difficult period” and that they “recognised the need for change” to secure the team’s long-term future.
Israel-Premier Tech have announced they will be dropping 'Israel' from the teams name
|REUTERS
The team said: “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.”
The team is owned by Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, who will step back from his day-to-day role and no longer act as the organisation’s spokesman.
JUST IN: Woman at centre of Christian Horner scandal paid seven figure sum to drop allegations
Adams, 66, is a prominent supporter of Israel and an ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He has previously described himself as a “self-appointed ambassador to Israel” and has been a driving force behind the project since its creation as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
Israel-Premier Tech have had their invitations to events removed due to the controversy
|REUTERS
The team, which includes five British riders such as four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, has been sponsored by Canadian company Premier Tech since 2022.
Premier Tech had already said it expected “Israel” to be dropped from the team’s name by 2026, though the process now appears to have been brought forward.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
During the Vuelta, the team stopped wearing jerseys featuring their full name midway through the race.
Organisers of Italy’s Giro dell’Emilia later withdrew their invitation to the squad over fears of similar protests.
Adam Hansen, president of the professional riders’ union, said cutting races short could be the only way to deter further disruptions.
Pro-Palestine protesters have been spotted at cycling events throughout the year
|PA
Cycling’s world governing body, the UCI, said it would continue to welcome Israeli athletes at all events despite calls for sporting boycotts.
The announcement follows a United Nations commission report accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel denies.
The war began after the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw hundreds taken hostage.
Gaza’s health ministry says more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes.