OFFICIAL: Israel – Premier Tech out of Il Lombardia 2025 amid ongoing protest concerns

The fallout from months of sustained protests and political pressure has reached another major milestone in the world of professional cycling: Israel – Premier Tech will not start Il Lombardia 2025, with the full preliminary startlist now confirmed and the team a notable absentee.

The official omission comes as little surprise following the team’s withdrawal from several Italian and Spanish races in recent weeks. But its absence from Il Lombardia, one of cycling’s five Monuments, marks the most significant race missed yet — and may signal the start of a broader shift in how politically sensitive teams are handled by race organisers and governing bodies.

Israel – Premier Tech has been under intense scrutiny since the Vuelta a Espana 2025, where the team was targeted by sustained pro-Palestinian protests. Several stages were disrupted, including a neutralised stage finish in Bilbao and a last-minute relocation of stage 16’s finish line. The final stage in Madrid was marred by what race officials described as “unprecedented tension.”

The response from local governments and race organisers across Europe has been swift and increasingly resolute. Earlier this autumn, the team was excluded from the Giro dell’Emilia, and opted to withdraw from the Trittico Lombardia (Coppa Agostoni, Coppa Bernocchi and Tre Valli Varesine) following widespread external pressure.

In Spain, the president of Gran Canaria’s island council, Antonio Morales, publicly stated that his region would not host the 2026 Vuelta unless the Israeli team was excluded — likening their stance to how Russian teams have been treated in the wake of international sanctions.

Morales accused the team’s owner, Sylvan Adams, of using the squad as a “propaganda project” due to his ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and labelled Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide — remarks that sparked international debate and further protests.

In early October, Israel – Premier Tech announced it would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, with "Israel" set to be removed from its name and kit. Adams, who has long been the public face of the team, will also step back from day-to-day operations.

However, that announcement has so far failed to ease tensions. The team’s presence continues to attract controversy, and many organisers have cited security concerns as a key factor in their decisions to bar or discourage participation. With the official startlist for Il Lombardia 2025 now published, Israel – Premier Tech is confirmed to be completely absent from the race.

Organisers of Italian races have made no secret of their unease in recent weeks. Bologna councillor Roberta Li Calzi called for the team to be banned from competing, stating that “sporting events must not be complicit in the actions of governments that undermine human rights.” Race director Adriano Amici, meanwhile, suggested that the UCI — cycling’s global governing body — should take the lead in issuing guidance on the matter, to avoid placing organisers in politically charged positions.

For now, Israel – Premier Tech’s 2025 season is ending in retreat. Whether its rebranding will be enough to halt the team’s growing isolation in the peloton remains to be seen.