The outlines of the renewed Premier Tech team are becoming increasingly clear. At least, cycling journalist Daniel Benson reports that the riders will no longer race on Factor bikes next year. The team reportedly already has a replacement bike manufacturer for 2026: the Swiss bike brand Scott is stepping into the gap.
The riders of Premier Tech have been riding Factor bikes for years, but the bike manufacturer has been reconsidering the partnership for some time. This is entirely related to the war in Gaza. Rob Gitelis, the founder and CEO of the bike brand Factor, was clear in an interview with Cyclingnews: Factor would withdraw as bike sponsor if Israel-Premier Tech continues racing under an Israeli license.
Gitelis further emphasized that the team would have to change its name. This has now happened, but Factor still seems to be ending the partnership with the team. According to the usually well-informed Benson, however, there is no cause for panic: Scott is now said to be committing to the team that includes Alexey Lutsenko, Marco Frigo, and Stephen Williams.
Scott was previously the bike supplier of Orica-Scott (and successors) and Picnic PostNL and was, up to and including this year, the bike sponsor of Q36.5 Pro Cycling. Tom Pidcock’s Swiss outfit is switching to Pinarello. However, Scott is also starting a new collaboration, namely with Metec-SOLARWATT. The Dutch Continental team is parting ways with BMC after twelve years.
Swiss connection
That the Swiss bike brand wants to commit to the team is not surprising in light of recent news. According to Ciro Scognamiglio, journalist at La Gazzetta dello Sport, the team will probably race next year under a Swiss license. Premier Tech announced last week that it is immediately ending its sponsorship of the Israel-Premier Tech team. The team is currently without a name or sponsor.
However, there is no doubt within the team about its continuation. Irish journalist Daniel Benson obtained an internal email in which manager Kjell Carlström spoke confidently about the future. “At the moment, we are having many conversations with potential partners and sponsors, so we expect to provide you with an update soon. (…) Nothing will change about our preparation for 2026,” said the Finn.
