Tag:

tag: Israel-Premier Tech

Factor Bikes Exits Israel-Premier Tech Team Sponsorship

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor November 20, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

Factor Bikes Ending partnership with Israel-Premier Tech

November 19, 2025 ⁣ – Factor Bikes is ending its long-term equipment supply partnership with the Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) cycling team, adding to the recent instability within the institution. ⁣The⁣ news follows ⁤the announced withdrawal of title sponsor Premier Tech in 2026⁣ and comes as ‌the team undergoes a significant⁤ rebranding effort.

According to‍ a report by ⁣ Daniel Benson’s Cycling Substack, Scott Bikes have‌ already been delivered‌ to the team’s headquarters ‍in Girona, Spain. It remains unclear whether Scott will act as a lead sponsor or simply an equipment supplier.

Factor‍ Bikes had previously requested in⁢ late September that the team⁣ drop the ‘Israel’ affiliation from its name, a change IPT had planned to implement for the 2026 season. Though, both Factor and Premier Tech ⁣accelerated ⁤their ⁣departures‍ before the rebranding could be finalized.

The⁢ timing of these changes coincides⁤ with other shifts in the professional cycling sponsorship landscape. Q36.5 Pro Cycling‍ recently announced a partnership with Pinarello, with the Italian ⁢brand ‌taking on‍ both bike supplier and leading sponsor roles for the team featuring Tom Pidcock. Premier Tech has also announced a ‌new partnership with the women’s UCI ProTeam st Michel-Preference Home-Auber93.

IPT is now facing a challenging future as it navigates sponsor withdrawals,internal restructuring,and geopolitical pressures while attempting to secure new funding ⁤and complete its rebranding.

November 20, 2025 0 comments

Sport

Factor Bikes Ends Sponsorship Over Israel-Premier Tech Name

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor September 22, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

Factor Bikes Demand Name Change for Israel-premier Tech sponsorship to Continue

September 22, 2025 – Factor bikes will only continue its sponsorship of the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team next season if the team removes “Israel” from its name and alters its branding, according to a statement from Factor founder Rob Gitelis to Cyclingnews. the move comes amid escalating protests and safety concerns surrounding the team’s participation in recent races.

“Without a name change, without a flag change, we won’t continue,” Gitelis stated, signaling a firm stance on the issue.

The pressure on the team follows a

September 22, 2025 0 comments

Sport

Vuelta a España Protests: A Turning Point for Cycling

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor September 15, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

Vuelta a España ⁣Disrupted by Unprecedented Protests, ⁢Raising Concerns for Future of ⁣Pro Cycling

Madrid, Spain ‍ – The 2024 Vuelta a España concluded Sunday amid widespread‍ and escalating protests, marking an unprecedented disruption in professional cycling history. Unlike isolated incidents targeting races like‌ the Tour de France, the⁤ Vuelta⁢ faced sustained demonstrations throughout its duration, prompting questions‍ about the future security and ⁢viability ⁢of open-road cycling events.

The protests⁢ centered on Israel-Premier Tech’s participation in the race, stemming from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While the⁢ team is privately owned by Canadian-Israeli billionaire⁣ Sylvan Adams and maintains‌ no official affiliation with the‌ Israeli government, it became the focal point of demonstrations.‍

“La Vuelta⁤ has been a trigger for reflection. cycling is ⁤vulnerable. I hope it⁢ won’t be⁤ like that,” said Vuelta director Javier Guillén on Monday, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.

The UCI, cycling’s governing body, has remained‌ largely⁤ silent, ⁤indicating it will likely defer to broader sporting institutions like the International‌ Olympic Committee, which has not yet issued a condemnation of Israel.

The scale⁢ of the protests differed significantly from previous incidents involving environmental⁢ activists, striking unions, ‍or local⁤ farmers. Riders largely refrained from public comment, citing fears⁣ of social media ⁣backlash or becoming future targets.

Ineos Grenadiers veteran Michal Kwiatkowski was a notable exception, expressing his concerns on *X* ⁣(formerly Twitter). “If the ⁣UCI and⁢ the ⁤responsible⁤ bodies ⁣couldn’t make the right decisions early enough, then long-term it’s very bad ‌for⁣ cycling that the protesters managed to get what they wanted. ⁤You can’t just pretend nothing is happening,” Kwiatkowski wrote.He added, “From now on, it’s⁤ clear for everyone that a cycling race⁤ can be used as an effective stage for protests and next time it ⁤will only ⁤get worse…It’s ⁤a shame for the fans ‌who came ‌here to watch a great event.”

Israel-premier Tech acknowledged only the sporting achievements of its riders, posting congratulations to American Matthew Riccitello for winning the best young rider’s ‌jersey and ⁢finishing fifth overall.

With Israel-Premier⁤ Tech expected to maintain⁢ its worldtour status in 2026 and the Tour de France scheduled ‌to begin in Barcelona next year, organizers and⁢ officials are bracing for the possibility of similar⁤ disruptions in the future. The Vuelta’s experience‍ has sparked⁢ a critical debate about the vulnerability of ‌open-road ‌cycling and the need for ‌proactive ‍measures to address potential protests.

September 15, 2025 0 comments

Sport

America’s Next GC Star Matthew Riccitello Holds Tough Despite Vuelta a España Protest Chaos

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor September 8, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

Riccitello Battles for White⁣ Jersey⁢ at Vuelta Amidst ‍Protest Fallout

Madrid,Spain – American rider Matthew Riccitello remains firmly in contention ⁤for the white ‍jersey at the Vuelta a España,despite a chaotic week marked ‌by protests and challenging stages. The 21-year-old IPT rider is locked in a tight battle with Giulio Pellizzari of Red Bull-bora-Hansgrohe,⁢ with only 32 seconds separating the two as the race enters its final week. Riccitello is also aiming for a top-10 overall finish ‌in the general classification (GC).

Riccitello’s pursuit of the vuelta’s best ⁣young rider honors comes as he enjoys ⁢a breakout⁤ season, including his first professional wins ‍in Europe at the Sibiu Tour in July, where he secured both a stage win and the overall⁤ GC ⁤title. While prioritizing a high GC placing,Riccitello acknowledges the meaning of the white jersey.⁣ “For sure it’s something on my mind,” he said. “The priority is just finishing as high up‍ on GC as possible, but the white jersey is definitely something that I want.”

Pellizzari presents a formidable challenge, having ⁣finished sixth overall at the ⁣Giro d’Italia, ⁢though he lost the white jersey there to Del Toro. Riccitello believes‌ Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s focus on Jai Hindley could potentially create an opportunity. “He is a really strong rider, so⁢ it’s not going to be easy,” Riccitello stated. “The white jersey is definitely his goal‌ as⁢ well. He’s smart, and⁤ he will definitely sacrifice to help [Jai] Hindley, but I‍ don’t think he will empty himself entirely. he wants the white jersey too.”

Looking ahead, Riccitello anticipates a competitive final week, with both ⁤he and Pellizzari racing aggressively to achieve their respective goals.⁣ He also expressed confidence in his ‍continued ‌development, stating, “I’m still young and I feel like I have room to improve every year. I ⁤don’t think‌ it’s out of reach,⁤ so I hope‌ to keep getting ⁢better every year. If I can keep getting better every year, hopefully that puts me in a place to be up there⁣ with those guys.”

Riccitello has been linked to a potential ‍move to Decathlon for 2026 but declined to comment on his future team.‌ He will forgo the road world championships‌ in ⁢Rwanda to‍ focus on Italian fall classics at the end of ‌the season, aiming to conclude his third year with IPT on a positive note.”It’s ⁢hard to put a number on it [GC] but it would be nice to finish with the white jersey if I can,” ‌he said. “if I can have a better third week than⁤ the first two weeks, I’ll be really happy.”

September 8, 2025 0 comments

Sport

Chris Froome’s Long Recovery Raises Doubts About Cycling Future

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor September 3, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

Froome‘s racing Future in Doubt Amidst Heart Issue Revelation and Contract Uncertainty

WARSAW, Poland – Chris Froome’s future in professional cycling is under renewed scrutiny following revelations of a previously undisclosed life-threatening heart injury sustained during his devastating 2019 crash, coupled with the impending expiration of his contract with Israel-Premier Tech (IPT). The four-time Tour de France winner, 38, acknowledged last month the possibility of retirement, and recent developments suggest his continued racing career is increasingly uncertain.

The heart issue,a pulmonary embolism triggered by deep vein thrombosis following the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné crash,was far more severe than initially reported and required extensive recovery.This, combined with his current form – finishing 30 minutes down on General Classification (GC) at the Tour of Poland in August – has led to questions about his ability to compete at the highest level. “My contract is expiring and I don’t know if I’ll continue or not,” Froome told Bikes.

The timing of this uncertainty coincides with significant changes within IPT. Team owner Sylvan Adams may be hesitant to renew Froome’s contract given his diminished results, possibly freeing up a substantial portion of the team’s payroll. While Froome likely isn’t earning the €4.5 million he previously commanded, releasing him woudl provide welcome budget flexibility as IPT faces a team reboot in 2026 with the retirements of michael Woods and Jakob Fuglsang, and Derek Gee seeking an early exit from his contract.

Beyond the team’s financial considerations, Froome’s personal life may also be influencing his decision. He and his wife have two young children,and he will turn 41 in May of next year. He has also expressed a strong desire to transition to a new role within cycling, stating his ambition to “open a cycling school in Africa” to develop young riders. “My real goal is to develop a great project that I am convinced will bring interesting new riders,” he said from the Tour of Poland.

IPT is also navigating external pressures, including increasing protests from pro-Palestinian activists, adding to the complexities facing the team as it plans for the future. The convergence of these factors – Froome’s health, contract status, team dynamics, and personal aspirations – casts a significant shadow over his continued participation in professional cycling.

September 3, 2025 0 comments