Canadian company ends cooperation with Israeli cycling team due to pressure from protesters.
According to the Times of Israel, Canadian agricultural company Premier Tech, the main sponsor of the Israeli cycling team Premier Tech, ended its partnership with the team on Friday, even though the team had removed the name “Israel” from its jerseys.
Premier Tech said in a statement: “After numerous discussions with the team and evaluating all the circumstances, the company has decided to end its financial support of the Israeli cycling team.”
The company added that, following pressure from Palestinian supporters, we couldn’t continue supporting the team despite the cycling team’s decision to change its name and remove the name “Israel” for the 2026 racing season.
The Canadian company’s move comes after thousands of Palestinian fans stopped Israeli cyclists last September during the Vuelta a España cycling race in Madrid by chanting and waving Palestinian flags and demanding the elimination of the Zionist team.
After this incident, the Canadian company announced that the Premier Tech cycling team must remove “Israel” from its jerseys and adopt a new name, identity, and brand to participate in the 2026 race.
However, following the intensification of protests by Palestinian supporters in Canada, the Canadian company decided on Friday to completely end its cooperation with the Zionist team.