Safety Concerns Push Israel–Premier Tech to Remove Israeli Identity

In a move that has stunned Israeli sports fans and saddened supporters worldwide, Israel–Premier Tech, the nation’s flagship cycling team, announced it will drop its Israeli identity for the 2026 season due to safety threats and growing hostility in international competition.

The team, which proudly flew the Israeli flag in elite events like the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, confirmed Monday that it would rebrand under a neutral name to ensure the safety of its riders and staff. “This step is necessary to secure the future of our riders and staff,” the team said in a statement, describing the decision as one of survival not surrender.

For years, Israel–Premier Tech stood as a symbol of Israel’s commitment to global sportsmanship, inclusion, and excellence. But that symbol became a target. Over the past year, anti-Israel activists have disrupted races, targeted team members with protests, and pressured event organizers to exclude the team entirely. Their mere participation was labeled "sportswashing" by groups that sought to erase Israel’s visibility on the international stage.

The backlash peaked during the Vuelta a España, where riders were harassed and the team was forced to quietly remove the word “Israel” from their jerseys. Invitations to other European races were rescinded. In Italy, safety concerns led to full withdrawals. Even in Canada, where the team had previously been welcomed, activists lobbied to ban them from the Montreal Grand Prix.

Behind the scenes, team sponsors including Canadian tech firm Premier Tech and bike maker Factor warned that the rising hostility was becoming a liability. Faced with financial risk and personal danger, the leadership had little choice.

Israeli-Canadian philanthropist Sylvan Adams, the team’s longtime patron and visionary, announced he will step back from daily operations. The rebrand, he acknowledged, is a painful moment. “In sport, progress often requires sacrifice,” the team stated.

Adams launched the team in 2014 as the Israel Cycling Academy, a small project to bring Israeli athletes into global competition. Under his leadership, it grew into one of the world’s top teams, winning stages at the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. It was more than just sport it was about changing perceptions of Israel through dedication, diversity, and human achievement.

But in today’s climate, even that vision was met with vitriol. Now, to remain on the circuit, the team will remove Israel from its name though not from its heart. It will continue to train Israeli cyclists and compete internationally. Funding remains intact, and a return to the UCI WorldTour in 2026 is expected.

Inside Israel, the reaction has been one of sorrow and solidarity. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the team’s legacy and resilience, calling them a source of national pride. Supporters see the move not as a defeat, but as a stark reminder of how global anti-Israel sentiment has crept even into the once-apolitical world of sports.

The mission endures, but the jersey will change. In the words of one official: “We started this journey to put Israel on the map of world cycling. Now, to stay on that map, we have to take Israel’s name off the jersey.”

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