Israel-Premier Tech: Canadian rider facing £26m damages after terminating contract

Since Gee’s decision to leave, Israel-Premier Tech has been subjected to much scrutiny.

At La Vuelta the team were the focus of several pro-Palestinian protests which affected the wider peloton. Riders crashed and were injured by protestors’ actions, which included pins being thrown into the road causing several punctures.

The final stage in Madrid was cancelled after it descended into chaos when protestors stormed the course and some riders were pushed off their bikes.

On stage five Israel-Premier Tech were targeted during the team time trial. Protestors ran across the road with a banner, causing four of the eight riders to take avoiding action and come to a stop.

Organisers of La Vuelta even suggested the team should leave the race for safety reasons. The name Israel was also dropped from the team kit during the race.

The team have since committed to rebranding without the Israel name after pressure from sponsors.

Last week they were then barred from the Giro dell’Emilia race over safety fears.

Israel-Premier Tech currently have five British riders on their roster. Alongside Froome, they have Jake Stewart, Ethan Vernon, Stevie Williams and Joseph Blackmore.

Israel launched the war in Gaza in response to the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023, when around 1,200 people were killed, mostly Israeli civilians, and 251 were taken hostage.

Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians and including more than 18,000 children, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. Its figures are seen as reliable by the United Nations and other international bodies. It has destroyed most of the territory and led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.