Nick Schultz on Israel-Premier Tech’s 2025 firestorm and the NSN rebuild that followed
The 2025 season pushed Israel-Premier Tech into territory most teams never have to face, where racing became only part of the job and the rest played out in the crowd and in the noise that followed the jersey. One year on, rebranded as NSN Cycling Team, much of that weight has lifted. It rarely shows up in results, but as Nick Schultz explains, it shifts everything around the racing itself.
“It was really challenging,” Schultz reflects on 2025 in the Domestique Hotseat. “Everyone knows that.”
Tensions reached a peak during the Vuelta a España, where several stages were interrupted by pro-Palestine protests, culminating in the final stage in Madrid being cancelled after large numbers of protesters took over the course.
Inside the team, the response was straightforward. The group stayed tight and focused on the job. “What was incredible about that time was the group that we had,” Schultz told. “The atmosphere within is just, I think, probably the best in pro cycling. We all stuck together. And I think we’ve all come out stronger from it.”
There was no visible split in the team. Riders approached it the same way, regardless of their position or situation. “There were plenty of other riders on the team that didn’t need to have that sense of loyalty because their careers were saved, but they had that loyalty,” he said.
For Schultz, that loyalty comes from a specific moment. Israel-Premier Tech offered him a contract when his options had run out. “There’s no denying they saved my career,” the Australian explained.
The move to NSN Cycling Team in 2026 did not change the core of the team. The structure shifted, but the group stayed the same. “The fundamentals of the group and the culture that we have, it has been protected,” according to Schultz.
From a rider perspective, the change from Israel-Premier Tech to NSN has been smooth. “It’s a new identity, a new organisation,” he said. “But the transition has been quite seamless for us as riders.”
Behind the scenes, there were complications. A late change in equipment added pressure within the organisation, though little of that reached the riders. “I’m sure that staff have probably absorbed a hell of a lot more stress than any rider has,” Schultz said.
The difference now is noticeable in how the team operates day to day. The focus is on racing, preparation and execution. “It’s been as good as it can be,” he said. “The fundamentals have remained intact. That’s what’s really important to me.”
Enjoy the full Hotseat epsiode with Nick Schultz 👇
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