Premier Tech exit surprises team, but management insists 2026 plans are unchanged

Premier Tech’s announcement that it had terminated its sponsorship of Israel-Premier Tech was not coordinated with the team, but management has sought to reassure riders that the squad will continue in 2026.

In an internal message to riders on Friday obtained by journalist Daniel Benson, general manager Kjell Carlström said that news of Premier Tech’s withdrawal would not change the team’s “approach to the 2026 season”, and he stated that the team was having “ongoing and exciting” discussions with potential sponsors.

“Today, Premier Tech announced their intention to step down as co-title sponsor in 2026,” Carlström wrote. “This announcement was not made in consultation with the team which is why we were not in a position to inform internally prior to the announcement. We have many ongoing and exciting conversations with potential partners, and we expect to be able to update you all in the coming week.”

The team has held planning meetings with riders in Spain in recent weeks, and Carlström confirmed that the squad’s first training camp of the winter would go ahead as planned later this month.

“Please note, this news, although disappointing and something we will continue to work through, does not change our approach to the 2026 season,” he wrote. “We are as motivated as ever to hit the ground running and I look forward to seeing you all at camp in two weeks’ time.”

Israel-Premier Tech were the focus of repeated human rights demonstrations during this year’s Vuelta a España amid Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Pro-Palestine protests led to the shortening of three stages and the cancellation of the final stage to Madrid.

The team later withdrew from a series of one-day races in Italy, including Il Lombardia, due to the likelihood of further protests against their presence. 

Last month, the team announced that for the 2026 season, the “decision has been made to rename and rebrand the team, moving away from its current Israeli identity.” It was also announced that team owner, Canadian businessman Sylvan Adams, would step away from his day-to-day involvement and cease operating as a spokesperson for the team. 

During the Vuelta, Adams had described peaceful protestors as “terrorists” in an interview with Israeli website Sport5, and he also claimed that reports of a change in the name of his team amounted to “fake news.”

Both Premier Tech and bike supplier Factor subsequently indicated that their continued backing of the team was contingent on a change in its name and identity. 

On Friday, however, Premier Tech signalled the end of its sponsorship after four years. “Although we took notice of the team’s decision to change its name for the 2026 season, the core reason for Premier Tech to sponsor the team has been overshadowed to a point where it has become untenable for us to continue as a sponsor,” the Canadian company said in its statement.

While the timing of Premier Tech’s announcement patently came as a surprise to team management, it is not clear if they were already aware of the Canadian company’s intention to withdraw its backing.

The team applied for the renewal of its WorldTour licence last month under the name ‘Cycling Academy’ rather than listing any sponsors.

The squad has also announced new signings for 2026 in recent weeks, including Ryan Mullen and Alessandro Pinarello, and it has been heavily linked with a move for Biniam Girmay, who looks set to become available due to the merger of Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty.

The status of the team’s marquee rider, Derek Gee, remains unclear. The Canadian has sought to terminate his contract with the team, citing “a safety and personal-belief standpoint that weighed heavily on [his] conscience.”

The case is currently before the UCI’s arbitral board, though Gee has revealed that the team is seeking €30 million in damages. “It strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts,” he said in a statement.