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Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the team experienced multiple disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters staged actions against Israel's war in Gaza

Team officials described the past few months as "an incredibly challenging time" but acknowledged "the necessity for transformation"

"With steadfast dedication to our riders, staff, and important sponsors, the decision has been made to rebrand and restructure the team, moving departing from its current Israel-linked identity"

"In sport, progress often demands sacrifice, and this measure is crucial to securing the long-term viability of the team"

Squad History and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which features five British riders including multiple Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Canadian-Israeli property billionaire Sylvan Adams

Initially founded as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been supported by Canadian corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Demonstrations

During the three-week Vuelta, numerous protests and disruptions took place, primarily focusing on the involvement of the cycling team

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

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

Recent Changes

Within the changes, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will step back from his day-to-day role and will no longer act on the squad's representation

The 66-year-old businessman has been strongly linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's government and has formerly described himself as a "self-appointed representative to Israel"

International Reaction

International cycling governing organization the UCI has declared it will persist to welcome Israeli competitors at its competitions despite demands for athletic sanctions

Following United Nations commission findings that stated Israel has committed mass killing against Palestinians in the territory - a allegation that Israel denies - there have been increasing demands for the country to be banned from global football tournaments

Background of Hostilities

Israeli military initiated a operation in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were murdered and 251 additional people were captured

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

Analysis: Business Image Factors

This choice represents a major admission by the squad and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is creating discomfort in environments such as elite sport

The owner's engagement in Israeli political affairs is well known, though not formally designated

The squad started primarily thanks to Adams' passion for cycling, and belief that the sport can bring communities closer united in parts of the globe distant from its European traditional base

Despite some Grand Tour leg victories, the team has found the competition level hard going at points at the elite level, and is unable to afford to jeopardize sponsors such as Canadian pesticide specialists Premier Tech

Being a billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that corporate brand reputation is everything