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Throughout the recent Vuelta a Espana, the team faced several disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters organized actions against Israel's war in the Gaza Strip

Squad officials characterized the recent period as "a particularly difficult time" but recognized "the necessity for change"

"With steadfast commitment to our riders, staff, and important partners, the choice has been made to rebrand and re-brand the squad, shifting away from its current Israel-linked branding"

"In sport, advancement often demands sacrifice, and this measure is crucial to securing the future of the organization"

Team History and Structure

Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes several UK riders including four-time French cycling tour winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Israeli-Canadian real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

During the three-week Vuelta, multiple protests and interruptions took place, mainly targeting the participation of the cycling team

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

The last stage of the race around Madrid was cancelled following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that caused scuffles with cyclists and blocked the course in several places

Recent Developments

Within the restructuring, squad proprietor Sylvan Adams will step back from his day-to-day role and will cease act on the team's representation

The 66-year-old businessman has been strongly associated with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has previously referred to himself as a "self-appointed representative to Israel"

Global Response

International cycling governing organization the UCI has stated it will persist to accept Israel-based athletes at its competitions despite demands for sporting sanctions

After UN commission conclusions that declared Israel has performed genocide against Palestinian people in Gaza - a allegation that the government rejects - there have been increasing demands for the nation to be banned from global football competition

Background of Hostilities

Israeli military initiated a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-organized attack on southern regions of Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were murdered and 251 others were taken hostage

According to data from the region's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in the territory since then

Perspective: Business Image Considerations

The choice constitutes a major acknowledgment by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the presence of Israeli branding is creating unease in environments such as professional sport

The owner's engagement in Israeli politics is widely recognized, though not formally designated

This squad started primarily thanks to Adams' enthusiasm for professional cycling, and conviction that the sport can bring communities closer united in parts of the world away from its European heartland

Despite some Grand Tour leg wins, the team has experienced the competition level hard going at times at the elite tier, and is unable to afford to lose financial backers such as Canada's pesticide experts Premier Tech

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