🔗 Share this article

During last month's Vuelta a Espana, the squad faced several disruptions as pro-Palestinian demonstrators organized protests regarding the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip

Team representatives described the recent period as "an incredibly difficult time" but recognized "the need for transformation"

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

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

Squad Background and Structure

The Israel-Premier Tech squad, which features several UK riders including four-time French cycling tour winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Israeli-Canadian property tycoon Sylvan Adams

Initially founded as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been supported by Canada-based corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

Throughout the three-week Vuelta, multiple demonstrations and interruptions took place, mainly targeting the involvement of the cycling team

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

The final leg of the race around Madrid was called off following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that caused altercations with riders and blocked the course in multiple locations

Recent Developments

Within the restructuring, squad owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily responsibilities and will no longer act on the team's representation

This 66-year-old businessman has been strongly associated with the Israeli administration and has previously described himself as a "unofficial ambassador to the nation"

International Reaction

World professional cycling governing organization the UCI has declared it will continue to accept Israeli competitors at its events despite calls for sporting boycotts

Following UN commission findings that stated the nation has committed mass killing against Palestinian people in the territory - a allegation that Israel rejects - there have been increasing calls for the country to be banned from international football competition

Context of Hostilities

Israeli military initiated a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led assault on southern the country on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 additional people were captured

Based on reports from the region's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israeli military actions in Gaza since that time

Perspective: Business Branding Considerations

This decision represents a significant acknowledgment by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Israeli branding is causing unease in environments such as elite sport

The owner's involvement in Israel's politics is well known, though not formally assigned

This squad began primarily due to the owner's passion for cycling, and belief that the activity can bring communities more together in parts of the globe away from its European traditional base

Regardless of several Grand Tour stage wins, Israel-Premier Tech has found the pace challenging going at times at the top level, and is unable to afford to lose sponsors such as Canada's agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

As a billionaire entrepreneur, Adams understands that corporate image is paramount