Israel Premier-Tech has dropped out of three cycling races in Italy next week due to security concerns.
There is a general strike taking place in Italy today (Friday) as thousands demonstrate across the country — with union leaders claiming 100,000 in Milan — in support of Palestinians and against the Italian government, per Italian news agency ANSA. This follows tens of thousands demonstrating for the same cause last month.
Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) is not a state-owned cycling team, although its co-owner Sylvan Adams has referred to himself as the “self-appointed Ambassador at large for the state of Israel.”
The team confirmed in a statement to The Athletic that “in light of security concerns, Israel-Premier Tech will no longer be racing Coppa Bernocchi, Tre Valli Varesine or Gran Piemonte next week.” It has also had its invitation to participate in Saturday’s Giro dell’Emilia withdrawn by organisers, as confirmed by IPT last week.
Pro-Palestinian protestors in Milan on Friday (Stefano Rellandini/AFP via Getty Images)
IPT was the subject of pro-Palestine protests throughout last month’s Vuelta a Espana. The protests led to three of the grand tour’s 21 stages being cancelled and Movistar’s Javier Romo abandoning the race after a protestor caused him to crash.
Since then, the team’s title sponsor, Premier Tech, has called for the removal of ‘Israel’ from its name permanently — as it did temporarily from their jerseys during the Vuelta — due to the “untenable” situation.
The team is currently participating in Croatia’s CRO Race, and will also ride at the Sparkassen Munsterland Giro in Germany on Friday. A spokesperson for IPT has clarified that no other withdrawals are foreseen for the remainder of the team’s season.
IPT is set to return to Italy for the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia next week on Saturday, October 11. As the top-performing non-WorldTour team last season, Israel Premier-Tech automatically receives an invite to each WorldTour race.
(Top photo of Israel Premier-Tech’s US rider Matthew Riccitello: Miguel Riopa/AFP via Getty Images)
Oct 3, 2025
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle