© Getty ImagesPro-Palestinian protesters and the Israel Premier Tech cycling team
The Israel Premier Tech cycling team has been excluded from an upcoming race in Italy because of concerns over potentially disruptive pro-Palestine protests.
Organizers of the Giro dell'Emilia, which is scheduled for Oct. 4, made the decision after protesters repeatedly disrupted the recent Spanish Vuelta in the presence of Israel Premier Tech.
There, seven of the past 11 days of racing at the Vuelta were cut short or interrupted because Spain's government estimated more than 100,000 people were on the streets in Madrid during the final stage this month.
The protesters said their actions were aimed at denouncing Israel's military campaign in Gaza after Hamas' deadly attack on Israel Oct. 7, 2023.
© Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty ImagesA Pro-Palestinian protester shows the police her concern for Gaza after protesters invaded the circuit of La Vuelta race in the center of Madrid during a protest against the participation of the Israel Premier Tech team on Sept. 14, 2025 in Madrid, Spain
"We believe that sport is a vehicle of universal values of sharing, fair competition, solidarity between people," Li Calzi said Saturday. "We are satisfied to learn that this opinion is shared by the organization of the race, which today officially confirmed to us that the Israeli team will not take part in the Giro dell'Emilia.
"I thank them for this sensitivity, which I believe is shared by a large part of our community."
The team is co-owned by Israeli Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams. Its title sponsor, Premier Tech, a multinational company based in Quebec, said Thursday that it expects the team to be rebranded.
Comment: WNYT reports:
It said talks had taken place with the team and its partners over its concerns.Probably won't help, but go ahead and burn the cash anyway, Sylvan. The Israel brand is tainted for good, regardless of whatever flashy new logo y'all dream up.
"The outcome of these discussions will be decisive in determining whether Premier Tech maintains its commitment to the team moving forward," it said. "We expect the team to evolve toward a new name excluding 'Israel,' leading to a new identity and branding for the team."
The Spanish Vuelta turned into a diplomatic battleground and was repeatedly disrupted by protests against Israel Premier Tech.
Midway through the race the team removed its name from its uniforms, saying the decision was "in the interest of prioritizing the safety of our riders and the entire peloton, in light of the dangerous nature of some protests at Vuelta."
Yet protests persisted — culminating in the mass demonstration in Madrid, which meant the race had to be cut short by about 50 kilometers (30 miles).
Protesters threw barriers onto the road and anti-Israel banners were hung from buildings. Police escorted riders as they left the track.
In total, seven of the last 11 days of racing at the Vuelta were cut short or interrupted.
"As a sponsor of a cycling team, one of our key commitments is to the 150+ riders and team staff, as well as to their families," Premier Tech added in its statement.
Premier Tech's stance comes after a report that bike manufacturer and technical partner Factor also raised doubts about its association with the team.
"Without a name change, without a flag change, we won't continue," company founder Rob Gitelis told Cycling News.
Meanwhile, the UEFA Europa League, Europe's biggest soccer body, is reportedly moving toward a vote to suspend Israel over the war in Gaza, according to The Associated Press.
A majority of UEFA's 20-member executive committee is expected to support any vote in favor of suspending Israeli teams from international play, per the outlet. It would prevent the Israeli national team and club teams from playing in international competitions, including next year's World Cup.
Comment: About time. Officially applying South African BDS measures to the genocidal state should have started long ago. Israel has more than earned its growing pariah status.