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Throughout last month's Vuelta a Espana, the team experienced multiple interruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators organized protests against the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip

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

"Having strong commitment to our riders, team members, and valued sponsors, the decision has been made to rebrand and re-brand the team, shifting departing from its present Israeli branding"

"Within sports, advancement often requires compromise, and this measure is essential to ensuring the future of the organization"

Squad Background and Composition

The Israel-Premier Tech squad, which includes several British cyclists including multiple Tour de France winner Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and controlled by Canadian-Israeli property billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Events and Demonstrations

Throughout the 21-day Vuelta, multiple demonstrations and interruptions took place, primarily focusing on the participation of the cycling team

Halfway during the competition, the squad stopped using their full name on their jerseys

The last stage of the race around the Spanish capital was called off following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that resulted in scuffles with riders and obstructed the course in several places

Recent Changes

Within the restructuring, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his daily responsibilities and will cease act on the team's representation

The 66-year-old businessman has been closely linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has previously referred to himself as a "self-appointed ambassador to the nation"

International Reaction

International professional cycling regulatory organization the UCI has declared it will persist to welcome Israeli competitors at its events despite calls for sporting sanctions

Following UN investigation conclusions that declared Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinian people in Gaza - a claim that Israel denies - there have been growing calls for the nation to be banned from international football competition

Context of Hostilities

Israeli defense forces launched a campaign in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-led assault on southern regions of Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were murdered and 251 additional people were taken hostage

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

Analysis: Corporate Image Considerations

The choice constitutes a major admission by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is creating unease in places such as elite sport

Adams' involvement in Israel's politics is widely recognized, though not formally assigned

The team began largely due to the owner's passion for professional cycling, and belief that the activity can unite communities closer united in parts of the globe away from its European traditional base

Regardless of several Grand Tour leg victories, the team has experienced the competition level hard to maintain at points at the top level, and cannot risk to lose sponsors such as Canadian agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

As a multi-billionaire businessman, Adams understands that corporate image is paramount