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Throughout the recent Spanish cycling tour, the squad experienced several disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters staged actions regarding Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Squad representatives described the recent period as "a particularly difficult time" but acknowledged "the need for transformation"

"Having strong dedication to our riders, staff, and valued sponsors, the choice has been made to rename and restructure the team, shifting departing from its present Israeli identity"

"Within sports, progress often demands sacrifice, and this measure is essential to ensuring the future of the team"

Squad History and Structure

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which features several UK cyclists including multiple Tour de France winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Israeli-Canadian real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Events and Protests

During the 21-day Spanish tour, numerous protests and disruptions occurred, mainly targeting the involvement of the cycling team

Midway through the competition, the team ceased using their full team name on their jerseys

The final stage of the tour around Madrid was called off following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that caused altercations with cyclists and blocked the course in several places

Recent Developments

Within the restructuring, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his daily role and will no longer speak on the team's behalf

The sixty-six-year-old businessman has been strongly linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's government and has previously referred to himself as a "unofficial representative to Israel"

Global Reaction

International professional cycling regulatory organization the UCI has declared it will persist to accept Israeli athletes at its events despite demands for sporting sanctions

Following UN commission findings that declared the nation has performed mass killing against Palestinians in Gaza - a allegation that the government denies - there have been growing calls for the nation to be banned from international football competition

Context of Conflict

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

Based on reports from the territory's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israel's military actions in Gaza since then

Analysis: Business Image Factors

The decision represents a significant acknowledgment by the squad and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is creating unease in places such as elite sport

The owner's engagement in Israeli politics is widely recognized, although not officially designated

This squad started largely thanks to the owner's enthusiasm for professional cycling, and belief that the activity can unite societies more united in regions of the globe away from its continental heartland

Regardless of several major cycling tour leg victories, the team has experienced the competition level challenging to maintain at times at the elite tier, and is unable to risk to lose financial backers such as Canada's pesticide experts Premier Tech

As a multi-billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that corporate brand reputation is everything