The WorldTour team formerly known as Israel–Premier Tech has completed its overhaul, announcing across social media on November 20 that it will race in 2026 as NSN Cycling Team under a Swiss licence, with operations based in Girona and Barcelona. The structure is now controlled by a joint venture between sports‑entertainment company Never Say Never (NSN) and Geneva‑based investment platform Stoneweg, pending final UCI registration confirmation in December.
The rebrand follows a season in which the team’s Israeli identity became highly controversial. Pro‑Palestinian protests at the Vuelta a España repeatedly disrupted stages and contributed to the cancellation of the final day, while L’Équipe and other outlets reported race organisers excluding the squad from late‑season Italian events on public‑safety grounds.
Commercial pressure then made the existing model untenable. Equipment partner Factor Bikes, via founder Rob Gitelis, warned "without a name change, without a flag change, we won’t continue," in comments made to Cyclingnews before beginning its exit. Co‑title sponsor Premier Tech subsequently withdrew, stating that the original purpose of the partnership had been "overshadowed to a point where it has become untenable to continue."
Into that vacuum stepped NSN and Stoneweg. General manager Kjell Carlström said the deal and new identity represented "an incredibly exciting new chapter" and a shift toward a more globally marketable project. For founder Sylvan Adams, the price of that shift is personal. "This is a very painful moment in my life. I cannot take an active role in a team that no longer bears the name Israel. I am stepping aside," he said in a statement to Israeli media.
On the sporting side, the departure of Chris Froome (Israel–Premier Tech) at the end of his contract confirms a clean break from the team’s previous era. In the last few days it has been confirmed that Biniam Girmay (Intermarché–Wanty) is targeted as the marquee signing for NSN, although neither team has announced a deal and his contractual status remains unresolved. Scott bikes have been spotted at the former service course, but a formal replacement for Factor has not been confirmed.
Whether a Swiss licence and Spanish base will fully neutralise the political controversy remains uncertain. The immediate tests will be UCI approval of the licence, confirmation of the new equipment partner, clarity on headline signings such as Girmay, and how riders respond publicly to one of the most drastic identity resets yet seen in WorldTour cycling.
Header image credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
