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During last month's Vuelta a Espana, the squad faced multiple disruptions as pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged protests regarding Israel's war in Gaza

Team officials characterized the past few months as "an incredibly difficult period" but acknowledged "the necessity for change"

"Having steadfast commitment to our riders, staff, and important sponsors, the choice has been made to rename and re-brand the squad, shifting away from its present Israel-linked branding"

"Within sports, progress often requires sacrifice, and this step is crucial to ensuring the future of the team"

Team History and Structure

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

Originally established as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been supported by Canada-based corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Demonstrations

During the 21-day Vuelta, multiple protests and interruptions took place, mainly focusing on the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Halfway during the race, the team stopped displaying their complete team name on their cycling uniforms

The final leg of the race around Madrid was called off following Palestinian-supporting protests that resulted in scuffles with riders and obstructed the course in several locations

Recent Developments

As part of the restructuring, squad owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily role and will no longer speak on the team's representation

The 66-year-old entrepreneur has been strongly linked with the Israeli government and has previously described himself as a "self-appointed representative to Israel"

International Response

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

Following UN investigation findings that stated Israel has performed genocide against Palestinian people in the territory - a claim that Israel denies - there have been growing calls for the nation to be suspended from international football tournaments

Context of Conflict

Israeli military launched a campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-organized assault on southern the country on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 others were captured

According to data from the territory's Hamas-controlled health department, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israeli military actions in the territory since that time

Analysis: Corporate Image Considerations

The choice represents a major admission by the squad and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is creating discomfort in environments such as elite athletics

The owner's engagement in Israel's politics is well known, although not formally designated

This squad began largely due to the owner's passion for cycling, and conviction that the activity can unite societies closer together in regions of the world distant from its European traditional base

Regardless of several Grand Tour leg victories, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the pace hard going at points at the top level, and cannot afford to lose financial backers such as Canada's agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

Being a multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Adams understands that corporate brand reputation is paramount