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During the recent Spanish cycling tour, the squad faced multiple interruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters organized actions against the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Squad representatives characterized the recent period as "an incredibly difficult period" but acknowledged "the necessity for transformation"

"Having steadfast dedication to our cyclists, team members, and valued sponsors, the choice has been made to rebrand and re-brand the squad, shifting departing from its current Israel-linked identity"

"Within sports, progress often demands compromise, and this measure is crucial to ensuring the long-term viability of the organization"

Squad Background and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes five UK riders among them four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Canadian-Israeli real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Events and Protests

During the 21-day Vuelta, multiple protests and disruptions took place, mainly targeting the participation of the cycling team

Midway through the competition, the team stopped displaying their full team name on their jerseys

The last stage of the race around the Spanish capital was cancelled following pro-Palestinian protests that caused altercations with riders and blocked the course in several locations

Recent Developments

Within the restructuring, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily role and will cease act on the team's behalf

This 66-year-old businessman has been closely associated with the Israeli government and has previously described himself as a "unofficial representative to the nation"

International Response

World professional cycling governing organization the UCI has declared it will continue to welcome Israel-based athletes at its events despite demands for athletic boycotts

After UN commission conclusions that declared Israel has committed mass killing against Palestinian people in Gaza - a claim that the government rejects - there have been growing calls for the country to be suspended from international soccer tournaments

Context of Hostilities

The Israeli military initiated a operation in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-organized assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 additional people were taken hostage

Based on reports from the territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been fatally injured in Israel's attacks in the territory since then

Analysis: Corporate Image Factors

This choice constitutes a major acknowledgment by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is causing unease in environments such as elite sport

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

The team began primarily thanks to the owner's enthusiasm for cycling, and belief that the sport can unite communities more together in parts of the world away from its European traditional base

Despite some major cycling tour leg victories, the team has found the competition level hard to maintain at points at the top tier, and is unable to risk to lose sponsors such as Canadian pesticide specialists Premier Tech

Being a multi-billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that business image is paramount