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Israel-Premier Tech to Remove "Israel" from Team Name Ahead of 2026 Season

Israel-Premier Tech, the WorldTour professional cycling team, announced today it will drop "Israel" from its official name and undergo a rebrand ahead of the 2026 season.

Israel-Premier Tech to Remove "Israel" from Team Name Ahead of 2026 Season

The move follows weeks of protests and operational disruptions during the 2025 Vuelta a España linked to broader geopolitical demonstrations, and is intended to protect the team's sporting future and stability for riders, staff and partners.

The team said the decision comes after "an incredibly difficult period" and a careful review of the challenges facing the organization. Management cited repeated safety disruptions and reputational risk as key factors in the move to remove any national identifier from the team’s public identity. The rebrand process will begin immediately, with a new name and visual identity to be unveiled before the start of the 2026 season. Premier Tech, the team’s principal sponsor since 2022, confirmed earlier expectations that the change would take effect for the 2026 campaign.

Founded in 2014 as Israel Cycling Academy and elevated to WorldTour status in subsequent years, the squad has attracted international attention through race results and development of young talent. The organization stressed that the rebrand is designed to allow a renewed focus on athletic performance and athlete welfare. "With steadfast commitment to our riders, staff, and valued partners, the decision has been made to rename and re-brand the team, moving away from its current Israeli identity," the team statement said. Officials added that the transition aims to preserve sponsorship relationships and ensure uninterrupted competition across the global calendar.

As part of the restructuring, longtime figurehead Sylvan Adams will step back from day-to-day responsibilities and will no longer serve as the team’s public spokesperson. Management said this leadership change is part of a broader governance update to align with the new brand and operational priorities. Team representatives emphasized that rider contracts, staff roles and race commitments remain in place and that preparations continue for upcoming events on the late-2025 and early-2026 calendars.

Quote "This has been a challenging time for everyone connected to the team," said Premier Tech spokesperson Marie-Claire Boudreau. "We believe this rebrand is the responsible step to protect the athletes and the sport. Our priority is to provide a stable, focused environment where our riders can compete at the highest level without distractions."

Israel-Premier Tech is an international professional cycling team competing on the UCI WorldTour. Founded in 2014 as Israel Cycling Academy, the team has grown into a multinational squad focused on developing talent and achieving results across Grand Tours, stage races and one-day events. Premier Tech has been the team's title sponsor since 2022. The team is committed to athlete welfare, competitive excellence and responsible sportsmanship.

 
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