Israel-Premier Tech: Cycling team acquired by Andres Iniesta’s company

The team formerly known as Israel-Premier Tech has been taken over by a branding company he co-founded Barcelona legend and World Cup winner Andres Iniesta.

It was announced on Thursday evening that the team’s ownership and registration had been changed as Swiss, after its Israeli owners were subjected to numerous pro-Palestinian protests and the loss of the team’s main sponsor.

The team will now be known as NSN Cycling from 2026, and says it is a “Swiss team with a Spanish structure”.

In a statement indicating the Israeli owners had sold – although this was not officially confirmed to BBC Sport following a request for comment – the team said they had made a “takeover of ownership of the team”. [governing competition] Licensing and subsequent role in team operations.”

NSN, which stands for Never Say Never, is a company co-founded by Iniesta, which claims to “connect global audiences through the power of sports and entertainment”.

Former sponsor Premier Tech ended its association this month, despite the team initially agreeing to remove Israel from its name.

The team had agreed to the change in October after public pressure from the Canadian company, citing pro-Palestinian protests during the Vuelta a Espana in September – many of which were directed towards Israel-Premier Tech.

Canadian racer Derek Gee also canceled his contract with the team days before the Vuelta, citing “serious concerns.”

Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome signed with the team in 2020, but was released last week after suffering serious injuries in a training accident this year.

Canadian-Israeli billionaire Sylvan Adams has been a co-owner of Israel-Premier Tech since 2014, but recently stepped back from day-to-day operations following controversy surrounding the team during the Vuelta as a result of the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

The conflict was sparked by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed.

Israel responded by launching a military campaign in Gaza, during which more than 69,000 people were killed, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Strip.