The professional cycling team has faced protests from Palestinian-supporting activists
Israel-Premier Tech professional squad will drop Israel from their name beginning next season
Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the squad experienced several disruptions as pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged actions regarding Israel's military campaign in Gaza
Squad representatives characterized the recent period as "a particularly difficult time" but acknowledged "the necessity for change"
"With steadfast commitment to our cyclists, staff, and valued partners, the choice has been made to rebrand and re-brand the squad, shifting away from its current Israel-linked identity"
"In sport, advancement often demands compromise, and this measure is essential to securing the future of the team"
Israel-Premier Tech team, which features five British riders among them multiple French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Canadian-Israeli real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams
Initially founded as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been supported by Canadian company Premier Tech since 2022
Throughout the 21-day Vuelta, multiple protests and interruptions took place, mainly targeting the involvement of the cycling team
Halfway during the race, the squad ceased displaying their full name on their cycling uniforms
The last stage of the race around the Spanish capital was cancelled following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that caused scuffles with riders and blocked the course in multiple places
Within the restructuring, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day responsibilities and will no longer act on the team's representation
This 66-year-old businessman has been closely linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's government and has previously referred to himself as a "self-appointed ambassador to the nation"
International professional cycling governing organization the UCI has stated it will persist to accept Israel-based competitors at its events despite calls for sporting boycotts
Following UN commission conclusions that declared the nation has performed mass killing against Palestinian people in the territory - a claim that the government rejects - there have been growing demands for the nation to be banned from international soccer tournaments
Israeli defense forces launched a operation in Gaza in response to the Hamas-organized attack on southern the country on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were murdered and 251 additional people were taken hostage
According to reports from the region's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been fatally injured in Israeli attacks in the territory since then
This choice represents a major acknowledgment by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is creating discomfort in environments such as elite sport
Adams' engagement in Israeli political affairs is widely recognized, although not formally designated
The squad started largely thanks to the owner's passion for cycling, and conviction that the activity can bring communities more united in regions of the world away from its continental heartland
Despite several Grand Tour leg victories, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the competition level challenging going at times at the top tier, and cannot afford to jeopardize sponsors such as Canada's pesticide specialists Premier Tech
As a multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Adams recognizes that corporate image is paramount
Travel enthusiast and local expert sharing insights on Sardinian accommodations and hidden gems.
