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Throughout last month's Vuelta a Espana, the team experienced multiple disruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators organized protests regarding the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Squad officials described the recent period as "a particularly difficult period" but recognized "the necessity for transformation"

"With steadfast commitment to our cyclists, staff, and important partners, the decision has been made to rename and re-brand the squad, shifting away from its current Israeli branding"

"Within sports, advancement often demands compromise, and this measure is essential to securing the long-term viability of the team"

Squad Background and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech squad, which features five UK riders among them multiple Tour de France winner Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and controlled by Canadian-Israeli real estate tycoon Sylvan Adams

Initially founded as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been supported by Canadian corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Demonstrations

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

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

The final leg of the race around the Spanish capital was cancelled following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that caused altercations with cyclists and blocked the route in multiple locations

Recent Changes

As part of the changes, team owner Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day role and will no longer act on the squad's representation

The sixty-six-year-old businessman has been strongly linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's government and has formerly referred to himself as a "unofficial representative to Israel"

International Reaction

International cycling governing organization the UCI has declared it will persist to accept Israel-based competitors at its events despite calls for athletic sanctions

After UN investigation findings that declared Israel has performed genocide against Palestinian people in the territory - a claim that Israel rejects - there have been increasing demands for the country to be suspended from global football competition

Background of Conflict

Israeli military launched a operation in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-organized assault on southern regions of Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 additional people were taken hostage

According to reports from the territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israel's military actions in the territory since then

Perspective: Business Image Factors

The choice represents a significant acknowledgment by the squad and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is causing discomfort in places such as professional athletics

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

This team started primarily due to Adams' passion for professional cycling, and belief that the activity can unite communities closer united in parts of the world away from its European heartland

Regardless of several major cycling tour stage victories, the team has experienced the pace hard to maintain at points at the top tier, and cannot afford to lose financial backers such as Canada's pesticide experts Premier Tech

As a multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Adams understands that business brand reputation is everything