Cycling Team Abandons Israel Name Amid Vuelta Protests and Sponsor Backlash

Cycling Team Drops Israel Name After Pro-Palestinian Vuelta Protests The Israel-Premier Tech cycling team announced on Monday that it will drop its ties to Israel from the 2026 season, following weeks of pressure from sponsors and repeated pro-Palestinian protests during last month's Vuelta a Espana bike race. The decision comes after the team faced widespread criticism over Israel's war on Gaza, which has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths. The team's owner, Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, had previously been criticized for his stance on the conflict. "We understand that our name and branding have become a source of controversy," said a team spokesperson. "We believe this decision will allow us to focus on what we do best: competing at the highest level." The protests during the Vuelta a Espana were some of the most significant in recent cycling history, with thousands of spectators and protesters gathering outside the finish line in Madrid. The demonstrations were sparked by Israel's actions in Gaza, which have been widely condemned as a genocide. The team's decision to drop its ties to Israel is seen as a major concession to the pro-Palestinian movement, which has gained momentum globally in recent years. "This is a significant victory for the Palestinian people and their supporters," said a spokesperson for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The team's decision also raises questions about the role of sports in politics. "Sports should be above politics, but it seems that's not always the case," said a cycling expert. "This decision will have far-reaching implications for the sport as a whole." The Israel-Premier Tech team has been one of the top teams in professional cycling, with several high-profile wins in recent years. The team's riders and staff will continue to compete under the Premier Tech name from 2026 onwards. In related news, the Spanish government has called for Israel to be banned from international sporting events due to its actions in Gaza. The move is seen as a significant escalation of tensions between Spain and Israel. The decision by the Israel-Premier Tech team to drop its ties to Israel marks a major shift in the world of professional cycling. As one cycling expert noted, "This is a turning point for the sport, and it will be interesting to see how other teams respond." *Reporting by Aljazeera.*