Over the past weeks, the team formerly known as Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) has been rocked by a series of sponsor withdrawals, most notably from title sponsor Premier Tech. Now bike sponsor Factor is heading for the doors.
What we know so far
Factor Bikes, the team’s long-term equipment supplier, has ended its partnership with the team, according to Daniel Benson’s Cycling Substack. Official details remain scarce, but Scott Bikes have reportedly already arrived at the team’s headquarters in Girona, Spain.
While the report says that Scott bikes have already arrived at headquarters, it is unclear whether or not Scott Bikes will serve as a lead sponsor or as an equipment supplier.
The team is undergoing a rapid rebranding and organizational shakeup. While IPT announced its intent to change its name and identity to distance itself from Israeli affiliations, both Factor and Premier Tech accelerated their exits before the new branding could be implemented. The timing comes even after Factor Bikes demanded in late September that the team drop the ‘Israel’ affiliation, a change that the team has been implementing for 2026.
The timing is interesting for Scott Bikes as well, as Q36.5 Pro Cycling announced a partnership with Pinarello. The Italian brand has agreed to take on both bike supplier and leading sponsor roles for the team headlined by Tom Pidcock. Further, Premier Tech recently announced a partnership with the women’s UCI ProTeam St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 after leaving its partnership with the current team.
IPT faces an uncertain future, forced to rapidly reinvent itself amid sponsor withdrawals, internal tension, and geopolitical pressures. The road ahead is challenging, as finding new backing and managing sensitive rebranding efforts is notoriously difficult in professional cycling.
This is a developing story, and we will update as more information becomes available.
Source URL: https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/factor-leaving-israel-premier-tech/