One of cycling’s top teams has been urged by a title sponsor to change its name after riders were targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters during the Vuelta a Espana.

The Israel-Premier Tech team were at the centre of several disruptions during this month’s Grand Tour in Spain, as protests were staged over Israel’s war in Gaza.

Sponsor Premier Tech wants ‘Israel’ to be dropped from the team’s name, saying that the “current situation is no longer sustainable”.

The Canadian company could end its association from next season, and British-based bike manufacturer Factor has aired similar concerns.

“Without a name change, without a flag change, we won’t continue,” Factor’s founder Rob Gitelis told Cycling News.

Premier Tech told Radio Canada: “We are sensitive and attentive to the situation on the international scene, which has evolved considerably since our arrival on the World Tour in 2017.

“However, the current situation regarding the team name is no longer sustainable to achieve our goal, which is the very reason for our involvement in cycling.”

The Israel-Premier Tech squad, which has five British riders who include four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Israeli-Canadian property billionaire Sylvan Adams.

The team said they are “currently in the planning phase for 2026 team branding and will communicate any potential changes in due course”.

Adams, 66, is closely associated with Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and has previously told BBC Sport he is a “self-appointed ambassador to Israel”.

Adams was invited to the White House with US President Donald Trump during the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel and other Emirati states, such as the UAE, in 2020.