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During last month's Vuelta a Espana, the squad experienced multiple interruptions as Palestinian-supporting protesters staged protests regarding the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip

Team officials described the recent period as "a particularly challenging period" but acknowledged "the need for change"

"Having steadfast dedication to our cyclists, staff, and important sponsors, the decision has been made to rename and restructure the squad, shifting away from its current Israel-linked branding"

"In sport, progress often requires compromise, and this measure is essential to ensuring the future of the team"

Squad History and Composition

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which features five British 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 team has been sponsored by Canada-based corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Demonstrations

Throughout the three-week Vuelta, numerous protests and interruptions occurred, mainly focusing on the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Midway during the race, the squad stopped using their complete name on their cycling uniforms

The final leg of the tour around the Spanish capital was called off following Palestinian-supporting protests that caused scuffles with cyclists and blocked the route in multiple locations

Recent Developments

As part of the changes, squad proprietor Sylvan Adams will step back from his day-to-day role and will cease speak on the team's representation

The sixty-six-year-old businessman has been strongly linked with the Israeli administration and has formerly described himself as a "self-appointed representative to Israel"

Global Reaction

International professional cycling governing organization the UCI has declared it will continue to accept Israeli competitors at its competitions despite demands for sporting boycotts

Following UN commission findings that declared Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinian people in the territory - a claim that Israel rejects - there have been growing demands for the nation to be banned from global soccer competition

Background of Hostilities

The Israeli defense forces launched a operation in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-led attack on southern the country on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 additional people were taken hostage

Based on reports from the region's Hamas-run health ministry, at least 67,139 individuals have been killed in Israeli military actions in the territory since that time

Perspective: Corporate Image Factors

This choice constitutes a significant admission by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is creating unease in places such as elite athletics

Adams' involvement in Israeli politics is well known, although not formally designated

This squad started largely thanks to Adams' enthusiasm for cycling, and belief that the sport can unite communities more together in regions of the globe away from its continental traditional base

Despite some Grand Tour leg victories, the team has experienced the pace challenging going at times at the elite level, and cannot afford to lose financial backers such as Canadian agricultural chemical specialists Premier Tech

As a billionaire businessman, Adams understands that business image is everything