Israel Premier-Tech (IPT) have overhauled their brand identity and will become known as NSN Cycling Team for the 2026 season.
NSN (Never Say Never) is a sports and entertainment company originally founded by Barcelona and Spain legend Andres Iniesta. The new team will be co-funded by Swiss investment fund Stoneweg.
IPT had come under major pressure to change their Israel-linked branding after pro-Palestinian protests dominated this autumn’s Vuelta a Espana.
Co-title sponsor Premier Tech withdrew support last month, citing that it had become “untenable for us to continue as a sponsor”, while bike manufacturer Factor told Cyclingnews that “without a name change, they won’t continue”.
The team confirmed in early October that they would undergo a rebrand “away from its current Israeli identity”. Co-owner Sylvan Adams — who refers to himself as the “self appointed ambassador at large for the state of Israel” — was also set to step back from his day-to-day involvement and “will no longer speak on behalf of the team”.
Though NSN will feature a “Spanish structure” which is based in Barcelona and Girona, the rebranded team will be registered in Switzerland.
“We are proud to welcome NSN and Stoneweg to the team and announce our new name and identity: NSN Cycling Team,” said NSN Cycling Team general manager Kjell Carlström. “This is an incredibly exciting new chapter for the team, and we can’t wait to make our debut as NSN Cycling Team.”
NSN organised Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami side’s tour of Latin America in January and also owns Danish second division club Helsingør FC.
“With the 2026 Tour de France set to start in Barcelona, the home of NSN, the new partnership represents an exciting new chapter for the team,” a team statement added. “The NSN Cycling Team and NSN Development Team will gather next week for the team’s pre-season training camp and will unveil its new look and race program in the coming weeks.”
NSN have lost several riders over the winter, including American climber Matthew Riccitello, while Canadian GC contender Derek Gee terminated his contract in September — a matter disputed by the team — citing an “irreparable relationship with the team principal” and a “safety and personal-belief standpoint that weighed heavily on my conscience”.
However, the new squad is expected to confirm the signing Eritrean sprinter Biniam Girmay, one of the peloton’s most popular figures, and confirmed the arrival of British rider Lewis Askey in August.