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Throughout the recent Vuelta a Espana, the team faced several interruptions as pro-Palestinian demonstrators organized protests regarding the Israeli war in Gaza

Team officials described the recent period as "an incredibly difficult time" but acknowledged "the need for transformation"

"Having strong dedication to our cyclists, team members, and valued sponsors, the decision has been made to rebrand and re-brand the team, moving departing from its current Israel-linked identity"

"In sport, progress often demands compromise, and this measure is essential to securing the long-term viability of the team"

Team History and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech squad, which includes several UK cyclists among them four-time French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Israeli-Canadian real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

Originally established as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been supported by Canadian company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Demonstrations

During the three-week Vuelta, numerous protests and disruptions took place, primarily focusing on the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Midway during the race, the team ceased using their complete name on their cycling uniforms

The final leg of the tour around Madrid was cancelled following pro-Palestinian protests that caused scuffles with cyclists and obstructed the route in several places

Recent Changes

As part of the changes, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his daily role and will no longer speak on the team's representation

This sixty-six-year-old entrepreneur has been closely associated with the Israeli government and has formerly referred to himself as a "self-appointed ambassador to Israel"

International Response

World professional cycling governing body the UCI has declared it will persist to accept Israeli competitors at its events despite demands for sporting boycotts

After United Nations commission findings that stated Israel has performed genocide against Palestinians in the territory - a allegation that the government rejects - there have been growing demands for the country to be banned from global football tournaments

Context of Hostilities

The Israeli military launched a campaign in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-led attack on southern regions of the country on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were murdered and 251 additional people were taken hostage

Based on reports from the territory's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israeli attacks in the territory since then

Perspective: Business Image Factors

This decision constitutes a significant admission by the squad and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is creating discomfort in environments such as elite athletics

Adams' involvement in Israeli political affairs is widely recognized, although not formally assigned

The squad began primarily thanks to Adams' passion for cycling, and belief that the sport can unite societies closer united in regions of the world away from its European traditional base

Regardless of some Grand Tour leg wins, the team has experienced the pace hard to maintain at times at the elite level, and is unable to afford to lose sponsors such as Canada's agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

Being a billionaire entrepreneur, Adams understands that business image is everything