“This announcement was not made in consultation with the team” – Leaked internal memo reveals surprise as Premier Tech announce end of sponsorship for former Israel outfit
Cycling
The dust is far from settled after Premier Tech’s abrupt decision to sever ties with the team formerly known as Israel – Premier Tech.
Hours after the Canadian company confirmed it would end its co-title sponsorship with immediate effect, a leaked internal memo from general manager Kjell Carlstrom revealed both shock and defiance within the camp — and a promise that new backers are already in the pipeline.
Caught off guard
The message, obtained and published by journalist Daniel Benson on his Substack, was sent to riders and staff on Friday afternoon — shortly after Premier Tech’s own press release went live.
“Today, Premier Tech announced their intention to step down as co-title sponsor for 2026,” Carlström wrote. “This announcement was not made in consultation with the team, which is why we weren’t in a position to inform you internally beforehand."
"We have a number of exciting conversations ongoing with potential partners, and we expect to be able to update you all in the coming week.”
The wording makes clear that management were blindsided by the sponsor’s public statement, underscoring how rapidly the situation has unravelled behind the scenes.
“We’re more motivated than ever”
Carlström ended the message on an upbeat note, seeking to reassure riders that preparations for 2026 remain on track.
“While this news is disappointing, it doesn’t change our approach to the 2026 season,” he added. “We’re more motivated than ever to hit the ground running, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all at camp in two weeks’ time.”
Sources cited by Benson suggest the team still expects to unveil its rebrand and new sponsorship structure within a fortnight, despite the turmoil.
What comes next
For now, the former Israel outfit stands without a title sponsor, its future resting on the success of ongoing negotiations. Internally, though, the message is one of resilience: staff are being told to prepare as normal, with training camp set to begin later this month.
Whether those “exciting conversations” deliver a new backer in time for the 2026 season could determine if the team survives its most turbulent chapter yet — or fades as the sport’s most politically fraught experiment.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
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Leaked: Despite shock at Premier Tech's departure team promises riders they will 'hit the ground running' in 2026 Internal message shows team management is still moving forward, with sponsorship talks ongoing dnlbenson.substack.com/p/leaked-despi…
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