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Throughout the recent Vuelta a Espana, the squad experienced multiple disruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators staged actions regarding the Israeli military campaign in Gaza

Team officials described the past few months as "an incredibly challenging period" but acknowledged "the need for change"

"Having strong dedication to our cyclists, team members, and important partners, the choice has been made to rename and restructure the squad, shifting departing from its current Israel-linked identity"

"Within sports, progress often demands compromise, and this measure is essential to securing the future of the team"

Squad History and Composition

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes several UK riders among them multiple French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Israeli-Canadian property tycoon Sylvan Adams

Initially established as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been supported by Canadian company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Protests

Throughout the 21-day Spanish tour, multiple demonstrations and interruptions took place, mainly targeting the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Halfway through the competition, the squad ceased using their full team name on their jerseys

The last stage of the race around Madrid was called off following pro-Palestinian protests that caused altercations with riders and obstructed the route in several locations

Recent Changes

As part of the changes, squad proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day responsibilities and will cease act on the squad's behalf

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

Global Reaction

International cycling regulatory body the UCI has stated it will continue to welcome Israeli athletes at its events despite demands for athletic sanctions

After UN investigation findings that stated Israel has committed genocide against Palestinian people in Gaza - a allegation that the government denies - there have been growing calls for the country to be suspended from global soccer tournaments

Background of Hostilities

Israeli military initiated a operation in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were murdered and 251 others were taken hostage

According to reports from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israel's attacks in the territory since that time

Perspective: Business Image Factors

The decision represents a major admission by the squad and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Israeli branding is causing discomfort in places such as professional athletics

The owner's engagement in Israeli political affairs is widely recognized, though not formally assigned

The team began largely due to Adams' passion for professional cycling, and conviction that the activity can unite societies more united in regions of the world distant from its European traditional base

Despite several Grand Tour leg wins, the team has found the competition level challenging to maintain at times at the top level, and is unable to afford to lose sponsors such as Canadian pesticide experts Premier Tech

As a multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Adams recognizes that business image is everything