The Israel–Premier Tech cycling team is set to embark on a fresh journey away from its Israeli identity under a new joint venture.
Come 2026, the team will be rebranded as NSN Cycling Team thanks to an agreement between international sports and entertainment company Never Say Never (NSN) and Swiss global investment platform Stoneweg.
The move comes at a critical juncture after the team’s participation in the 2025 cycling season ignited several protests amid the war in Gaza, particularly during the Vuelta a España.
New chapter, new outfit
The team previously revealed they wanted to rebrand ahead of the 2026 season, when they are expected to move to cycling’s highest division, the WorldTour, after securing promotion.
However, Canada’s Premier Tech announced it would terminate its co-title sponsorship with the outfit earlier this month, saying things have become “untenable” despite the looming rebrand.
“Although we took notice of the team’s decision to change its name for the 2026 season, the core reason for Premier Tech to sponsor the team has been overshadowed to a point where it has become untenable for us to continue as a sponsor,” Cycling News cited Premier Tech’s statement as saying.
These rebranding changes were finally unveiled on Thursday and are part of the team’s efforts to pivot “away from its current Israeli identity”.
The NSN Cycling Team will be considered a Swiss team with a ‘Spanish structure’, and its headquarters will be based in Barcelona and Girona.
Its continental development squad will take on the new name of NSN Development Team.
Team manager Kjell Carlström welcomed NSN and Stoneweg, calling the move “an incredibly exciting new chapter” in a press release.
Meanwhile, Stoneweg group chief executive officer Jaume Sabater described the launch as a “proud moment”.
“Cycling is a sport that promotes values we firmly believe in, from ambition and resilience to teamwork and integrity,” Sabater said.
“Our new WorldTour team aims to embody these principles and inspire the next generation of riders and fans.”
Officials will unveil the team’s new look and race programme in the coming weeks.
READ MORE: Cycling news: Tour de France teases battle of the giants in 2026 showdown
Tensions plague IPT’s 2025 season
The Vuelta, which began on August 23 this year in Turin, Italy, saw several of its stages disrupted by pro-Palestinian protestors, who raised concerns over the participation of the IPT team.
The protests eventually led organisers to cut short the final stage in Madrid, where more than 100,000 people flooded the streets to oppose the war in Gaza, according to estimates from Spain’s government.
Moreover, the team was removed from the Italian autumn Classics due to safety concerns following the Vuelta.
Canadian-Israeli billionaire Sylvan Adams, who served as co-owner of the team since 2014, has also taken a step back from daily operations.
A previous statement from IPT had said Adams will no longer speak for the team and will focus instead on his duties as the president of the World Jewish Congress in Israel.
While IPT praised the culture it cultivated within the team, they also acknowledged the necessity for changes.
“The team takes pride in its achievements on the road, but even more so in the culture it has built within,” they explained.
“This culture has been the foundation that enabled the team to overcome the challenges of recent months, standing firmly behind our riders and staff during an incredibly difficult period.
“Throughout this time, the team’s owners and management have recognised the need for change.”
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