Israel-Premier Tech rebrands as NSN Cycling Team for 2026

Israel-Premier Tech will be rebranded as NSN Cycling Team in 2026. Although the team’s new sponsor is Spanish, it will operate under a Swiss licence from January.

In a statement on Thursday, the team announced that it would be sponsored by sports and entertainment company NSN (Never Say Never) and by Swiss investment platform Stoneweg.

Premier Tech recently confirmed that it would not continue as sponsor of the team after its presence at the Vuelta a España and other races was the subject of repeated human rights demonstrations due to Israel’s invasion of Gaza.

After the Vuelta, the team signalled its intention to move away from its Israeli identity and it indicated that its owner, the Canadian-Israeli businessman Sylvan Adams, would no longer be involved in its day-to-day operations.

Despite those measures, Premier Tech opted not to continue its backing, while Daniel Benson has reported that Scott is in line to replace Factor as bike supplier.

In a statement on Thursday, general manager Kjell Carlström indicated that NSN had bought the team’s WorldTour licence. It is not immediately clear if this definitively ends Adams’ ties to the team.

“We are proud to welcome NSN and Stoneweg to the team and announce our new name and identity: NSN Cycling Team,” Carlström said.

“NSN’s acquisition of the team license, and subsequent role in the team’s operations, is an opportunity to welcome investment from an industry leader in global sports and entertainment, drawing on their wealth of experience to the benefit of the team and our partners.”

Founded in 2018, NSN has been involved in the organisation of exhibition football games, including friendly matches involving Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and games between retired Real Madrid and Barcelona players. The company also owns Danish football team Helsingor FC and a majority stake in gravel bike brand GUAVA. Stoneweg has already been a backer of the Israel-Premier Tech team since 2023.

It remains to be seen if the arrival of the news sponsor and the apparent departure of Adams will bring clarity to the destinations of two of the stars of the peloton.

Biniam Girmay has been heavily linked with a move to the team amid the merger of Intermarché-Wanty and Lotto, while Derek Gee has been seeking to leave Israel-Premier Tech after breaking his contract unilaterally. The Canadian subsequently claimed that the team was seeking €30 million in damages. The case is currently before the UCI Arbitral Board.

Despite the promised rebrand, the team’s presence in international cycling has remained a contentious one in recent weeks. AS reported this week that the Canary Islands had opted against hosting the final stages of the 2026 Vuelta a España due to the presence of the team.

Three stages of this year’s Vuelta were shortened and the final stage into Madrid was cancelled amid daily protests against Israel-Premier Tech’s participation. The team subsequently withdrew from a series of late-season races in Italy, including Il Lombardia, due to the likelihood of further protests.