Israel-Premier Tech requests to race as ‘IPT’ at GP Québec and Montréal after human rights groups push for team to be barred.
Updated September 11, 2025 07:02AM
Pressure on Israel-Premier Tech crossed the Atlantic from the Vuelta a España to Canada this week.
Organizers of the GP de Québec and GP de Montréal confirmed that the team would race as “IPT” on Friday and Sunday amid fear of disruptive demonstrations in the Canadian cities.
“This request came directly from the team,” said Joseph Limare, director of the Québec and Montréal organizational group.
“They asked us to remove the name ‘Israel’ from all expressions around the circuit. They will also be racing in a different kit during our events,” Limare said Wednesday.
Israel Premier-Tech will instead wear the so-called “Monogram” kit it offers to riders for training and is currently using at the Vuelta a España.
Tensions over the team’s presence at the Spanish tour are at boiling point as the ongoing war and humanitarian conditions in Gaza worsen.
Demonstrations at the Vuelta forced two stages to be cut short and the stage 18 time trial to be slashed by 60 percent in distance. Race officials are mobilizing thousands of security staff for the final stage on Sunday in Madrid.
The anger is bubbling across continents.
Canadian outlet La Presse wrote this week that the “Bikers for Palestine” activist group launched an online petition supported by thousands urging organizers of the Canadian races to withdraw invitations to Israel-Premier Tech.
Elsewhere, national broadcaster CBC reported that a human rights group was threatening legal action against the City of Montréal if Israel-Premier Tech wasn’t excluded from Sunday’s race.
Israel-Premier Tech is owned by Canadian-Israeli multi-millionaire Sylvan Adams.
The team built part of its identity around a roster heavy on Canadian staff and riders. Michael Woods, Guillaume Boivin, and Derek Gee have raced for the team, and former pro Steve Bauer leads the directing staff.
Woods out of Québec and Montréal as organizers brace for demonstrations
Protesters lined up at the start on Wednesday at the Vuelta. (Photo: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
Race organizers in Québec and Montréal are expecting protests Friday and Sunday and are coordinating with local authorities.
They’ll be hoping for none of the impacts from Spain to be transported to their WorldTour one-dayers.
“These individuals have the right to express themselves regarding the political situation,” said Québec’s Mayor Bruno Machand.
One rider from Israel-Premier Tech who won’t face any protestors on Friday and Sunday is Michael Woods.
IPT’s retiring Canadian superstar was hoping to race his home classics one last time this week, but has been forced to withdraw for surgery on a hernia.