After a tumultuous year, Israel-Premier Tech is going through a complete overhaul for 2026, with a brand new title sponsor, new owner, and new national identity.
Protests against the team for its Israeli branding and ties grew throughout the 2025 season, ultimately crescendoing at the Vuelta a Espana in August and September as day after day of protests disrupted the race and led to shortened and even canceled stages.
Title sponsor Premier Tech and bike sponsor Factor both walked away this off-season, having had enough of the distractions around the team. Now, the outfit is adopting a new identity as NSN Cycling Team, the team announced today.
The team was previously registered in Israel, but is now making it very clear that it is a Swiss registered team, with operations based out of Barcelona and Girona, Spain.
And the overhaul goes all the way to team ownership. Israeli-Canadian owner Sylvan Adams is out at the team as well, as reported by Spanish publication Marca.
With that, the team currently known as Israel-Premier Tech will essentially cease to exist in all major ways come the new year, its UCI team license and returning riders/staff the thread connecting the 2025 team to the new 2026 project. Kjell Carlström continues on from IPT team staff and will act as general manager.
The team will also have a continental level squad racing as NSN Development Team.
The New Sponsors: Never Say Never and Stoneweg
NSN, short for Never Say Never, is a seven-year-old sports and entertainment company with wide ranging assets, from a second-division Danish soccer club to a gravel bike brand. It has also organized international friendly soccer matches among other entertainment events.
“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,” said team general manager Kjell Carlström.
Additional new sponsor Stoneweg describes itself as “a global alternative investment group.” The Swiss firm reportedly manages €11 billion of assets.
Biniam Girmay comes on as a star signing
2024 Tour de France green jersey winner Biniam Girmay has reportedly signed with the newly rebranded squad, bringing some star power to the roster which lost Mike Woods to retirement in the off season. Another departure is Derek Gee who terminated his contract earlier in the year, citing “just cause” for numerous reasons, including safety and personal beliefs. American Riley Sheehan and Canadians Hugo Houle, Guillaume Boivin, and Pier-André Côté represent the North Americans on the squad.
Girmay struggled to follow up his outstanding 2024 season, his best results being second place in the first stage of the Tour and another handful of second places throughout the year. A fresh start on a revamped team could help the Eritrean star regain his form.
Source URL: https://velo.outsideonline.com/news/israel-premier-tech-new-sponsor-nsn/