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Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the team experienced multiple interruptions as Palestinian-supporting protesters staged protests regarding Israel's war in Gaza

Team officials described the past few months as "an incredibly difficult time" but recognized "the necessity for transformation"

"Having steadfast commitment to our cyclists, team members, and important sponsors, the choice has been made to rename and re-brand the squad, moving away from its current Israeli branding"

"Within sports, advancement often demands compromise, and this step is crucial to securing the future of the team"

Squad Background and Structure

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which features several British cyclists among them four-time French cycling tour winner Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and owned by Israeli-Canadian property tycoon Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Events and Demonstrations

Throughout the three-week Spanish tour, multiple demonstrations and disruptions occurred, mainly targeting the involvement of the cycling team

Midway during the competition, the team ceased using their full team name on their cycling uniforms

The final leg of the race around the Spanish capital was cancelled following pro-Palestinian protests that caused altercations with riders and obstructed the course in multiple places

Recent Changes

Within the restructuring, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day responsibilities and will no longer speak on the squad's behalf

This sixty-six-year-old businessman has been closely linked with the Israeli government and has formerly referred to himself as a "unofficial representative to the nation"

International Reaction

World professional cycling governing body the UCI has declared it will persist to welcome Israeli athletes at its events despite calls for athletic boycotts

After UN commission findings that stated Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinians in the territory - a claim that the government denies - there have been increasing demands for the nation to be suspended from global football competition

Context of Hostilities

The Israeli defense forces initiated a campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7th 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were murdered and 251 additional people were taken hostage

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

Perspective: Business Image Factors

The choice represents a significant admission by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is causing unease in places such as elite athletics

Adams' engagement in Israeli politics is well known, although not formally assigned

This squad began primarily thanks to the owner's passion for professional cycling, and belief that the sport can unite communities more united in regions of the globe away from its continental traditional base

Despite some Grand Tour stage victories, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the pace challenging going at times at the top tier, and is unable to risk to lose sponsors such as Canada's agricultural chemical specialists Premier Tech

As a billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that corporate image is everything