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Throughout the recent Spanish cycling tour, the squad experienced several interruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators organized protests against Israel's military campaign in Gaza

Team officials characterized the past few months as "an incredibly challenging period" but recognized "the need for transformation"

"Having strong commitment to our riders, team members, and important partners, the decision has been made to rebrand and re-brand the squad, moving departing from its current Israel-linked identity"

"Within sports, progress often demands sacrifice, and this step is essential to securing the long-term viability of the organization"

Team History and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes five UK cyclists among them four-time French cycling tour winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Israeli-Canadian real estate tycoon Sylvan Adams

Originally founded as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been supported by Canada-based company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

During the 21-day Vuelta, multiple protests and interruptions took place, primarily targeting the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Midway during the competition, the squad stopped using their full team name on their jerseys

The last leg of the race around Madrid was cancelled following pro-Palestinian protests that caused scuffles with riders and obstructed the route in multiple places

Recent Changes

Within the changes, team owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily role and will no longer speak on the team's representation

The sixty-six-year-old entrepreneur has been strongly associated with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has formerly referred to himself as a "self-appointed representative to the nation"

International Response

International cycling governing organization the UCI has declared it will continue to welcome Israel-based competitors at its events despite demands for sporting boycotts

After United Nations commission conclusions that declared Israel has committed mass killing against Palestinian people in Gaza - a allegation that Israel rejects - there have been growing demands for the country to be suspended from global soccer tournaments

Background of Hostilities

The Israeli military launched a operation in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-organized attack on southern the country on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were murdered and 251 others were captured

Based on reports from the region's Hamas-run health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israeli military actions in Gaza since then

Perspective: Corporate Image Considerations

The decision constitutes a major admission by the squad and its owner Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is creating unease in places such as professional sport

The owner's involvement in Israeli political affairs is widely recognized, although not officially assigned

The squad started largely due to Adams' enthusiasm for cycling, and belief that the sport can unite communities closer united in parts of the globe away from its continental heartland

Despite several Grand Tour leg victories, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the pace challenging to maintain at times at the top tier, and is unable to afford to jeopardize financial backers such as Canada's agricultural chemical specialists Premier Tech

Being a billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that business image is paramount