Oh boy.<\/p>\n
Israel-Premier Tech is facing growing pressure across the cycling world, with its main bike sponsor threatening to cut ties and multiple races and host cities signalling they will not welcome the Israeli-licensed squad in 2026.<\/p>\n
Factor CEO Rob Gitelis told Cyclingnews<\/a> he has already warned the team it must shed its Israeli identity if the partnership is to continue.<\/p>\n \u201cI have already indicated it to the team: without a name and flag change, we will not continue as a sponsor,\u201d Gitelis said.<\/p>\n Factor has reportedly conveyed the message directly to team owner Sylvan Adams, despite the two sides only recently extending their collaboration.<\/p>\n The backlash intensified during this year\u2019s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a. During the Spanish Grand Tour, pro-Palestinian demonstrations disrupted several stages. Demonstrations ultimately forced the cancellation of the finale in Madrid as well as podium ceremonies.<\/p>\n Races cut ties<\/p>\n Organizers of the stage race O Gran Cami\u00f1o recently confirmed the team will not be invited back in 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a simple situation,\u201d race director and former pro Ezequiel Mosquera told Marca<\/a>. \u201cAny organizer who had them last year is probably asking themselves the same questions we are now.\u201d<\/p>\n Derek Gee breaks silence on Israel \u2013 Premier Tech saga<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Israel-Premier Tech raced the event in 2022 and again this year, with Ottawa\u2019s Derek Gee winning the overall before leaving the squad in August. Even before the unrest in Spain, smaller protests had taken place during the team\u2019s visits to Galicia.<\/p>\n Mosquera said the Vuelta scenes created \u201cmaximum tension\u201d for riders, staff and organizers. He called the atmosphere \u201cvery difficult to manage.\u201d He stressed that O Gran Cami\u00f1o\u2019s goal is to showcase the region\u2019s heritage and tourism while keeping a strong sporting focus. Mosquera added that declining to invite the team was about safeguarding the race\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n In the Canary Islands, officials have said Gran Canaria will refuse to host the Vuelta\u2019s finish<\/a> in 2026 if the team is involved.<\/p>\n Political opposition<\/p>\n Opposition has also grown in Barcelona. The city is set to host the Tour de France Grand D\u00e9part in 2026. City sports councillor David Escud\u00e9 told Betev\u00e9 that officials are already looking at ways to prevent a repeat of the scenes in the Vuelta.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want the teams that compete under the Israeli flag, in the same way that has happened with Russia, to stop competing with this flag,\u201d Escud\u00e9 said. \u201cThis is not only about cycling. There must be restrictions on all international events for teams that participate with the Israeli flag. Sport cannot be used to whitewash what is happening.\u201d<\/p>\n Pushback abroad<\/p>\n The protests have not been limited to Europe. In September, demonstrations also surrounded the Grands Prix Cyclistes in Quebec City and Montreal here in Canada. (Although racing was not disrupted.) During the Vuelta Israel-Premier Tech removed \u201cIsrael\u201d from its jerseys. At the Canadian races the squad asked to be listed as IPT in official results.<\/a><\/p>\n The ProTeam, which is slated to step up to the WorldTour in 2026, is co-owned by Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams. Of its 32 riders, only three are Israeli; the majority are Canadian, American, European or from New Zealand.<\/p>\n It should be noted that the State of Israel is not a sponsor or officially aligned with the team. Premier Tech is a Canadian sponsor, so it would make sense to register the soon-to-be WorldTour team in Canada. Which, by the way, would be a first.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Oh boy. 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