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Throughout last month's Vuelta a Espana, the team faced several disruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators staged actions against the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Squad officials described the recent period as "an incredibly challenging period" but acknowledged "the need for transformation"

"Having strong commitment to our cyclists, staff, and important partners, the decision has been made to rename and re-brand the squad, shifting departing from its present Israeli identity"

"In sport, advancement often requires sacrifice, and this measure is essential to ensuring the future of the team"

Team History and Structure

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes five British riders including multiple French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and owned by Canadian-Israeli property tycoon Sylvan Adams

Initially established as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been sponsored by Canada-based corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Protests

During the three-week Vuelta, numerous demonstrations and interruptions took place, mainly targeting the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

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

The last leg of the tour around Madrid was cancelled following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that resulted in scuffles with cyclists and blocked the route in multiple places

Recent Developments

Within the restructuring, squad owner Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day responsibilities and will cease act on the team's behalf

The 66-year-old entrepreneur has been strongly linked with the Israeli administration and has formerly described himself as a "self-appointed representative to Israel"

International Response

International cycling regulatory organization the UCI has declared it will persist to accept Israeli competitors at its events despite calls for athletic boycotts

After UN commission findings that declared Israel has performed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - a claim that Israel rejects - there have been growing demands for the nation to be suspended from international soccer competition

Context of Conflict

The Israeli defense forces initiated a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-organized attack on southern regions of the country on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were murdered and 251 additional people were captured

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

Perspective: Business Branding Factors

This choice constitutes a significant admission by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is causing unease in places such as professional sport

Adams' engagement in Israel's politics is widely recognized, although not officially assigned

This squad began largely thanks to Adams' enthusiasm for professional cycling, and belief that the sport can unite societies more united in parts of the globe away from its European traditional base

Regardless of several Grand Tour leg victories, the team has experienced the competition level challenging to maintain at points at the top level, and cannot afford to lose sponsors such as Canada's pesticide experts Premier Tech

As a multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Adams recognizes that corporate brand reputation is everything