Our cycling news roundup, rounding out the saga of Israel-Premier Tech’s identity crisis and evolution to a new brand and title sponsor. Plus the UCI cyclocross World Cup series kicks off — and Vino’s kid becomes a DS, while the AIOCC elects a new president.
TOP STORY:
- Israel-Premier Tech Is Now NSN Cycling Team
RACE NEWS
- Nys Posts Emphatic Victory to Open World Cup Series
- Lucinda Brand Extends Cyclocross Dominance With Tabor Victory
- Milan “Upsets” Pogačar at Monaco’s BeKING Criterium
RIDER & TEAM NEWS
- Cycling Canada Unveils 2026 National Events Calendar
- Vino Jr. to Become a DS (in Training)
- AIOCC Elects a New President
Israel-Premier Tech Is Now NSN Cycling Team
Just a few days ago, we wrote “We may not be using the logo much longer.” Turns out the demise of the Israel-Premier Tech logo — and the team itself — arrived even more quickly than expected.
After an embattled season that came to a head during the Vuelta a España, when pro-Palestinian protests — directed at Israel-Premier Tech — led to the organizers’ decision to shorten and even cancel stages, the team has been transformed.
Most cycling pundits suggested that the team would simply drop “Israel” from its name — and wondered whether doing so would placate detractors. Instead, however, Canadian technology conglomerate Premier Tech first canceled its sponsorship; “Israel” technically remained — for about a week. Soon thereafter additional rumors were whispered, including the likely non-renewal of former Tour de France champion Chris Froome’s contract.
IPT’s investment in Froome never paid off.
Throughout, the underlying saga of Canadian Derek Gee’s desire to terminate his membership with the Israel-Premier Tech underscored the fragility of the team’s status quo.
It’s unclear where Gee will take his winning ways.
As of last Friday, Israel-Premier Tech is now NSN Cycling Team. New name, new logo, new sponsors, new nation of registration (Switzerland). New bicycles even, as Factor pulled its support of the squad; the team’s riders will now pedal Scott bicycles.
Even the team’s website — formerly israelpremiertech.com — is now defunct.
What remains, however, is much of the team itself. After the departures of Gee and rising American star Matthew Riccitello (riding for Decathlon CMA CGM in 2026), that team’s ranks are thin: Corbin Strong is likely the — um — strongest member, joined by an array of high-potential youngsters (Joe Blackmore, Alessandro Pinarello and others) and seasoned — but likely past their prime — veterans (e.g., George Bennett, Guillaume Boivin, and Alexey Lutsenko). (The full roster may be found at ProCyclingStats.com.)
Pinarello: a future star for NSN?
While this full gutting of the team’s brand and sponsorship would seem sufficient to assuage activists’ frustrations, Israel’s apparent ongoing prosecution of warfare in Gaza continues to provide fodder for demonstrators, and 2025 laid bare the potential for cycling to be disrupted by impassioned protesters. Even if the disappearance of “Israel” from one team’s jerseys indeed assuages concerns, allegations of sportswashing by sponsor-nations accused of human rights violations, such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, may prove to be fodder for a new version of race-stopping protests.
eTrashMike adds: In fact, considering the degree of fervor and rancor on the world’s stage, even a new American team could face opposition. I won’t claim to write for all cycling fans, but I, for one, hope we can just return to undisrupted racing.
RACE NEWS
Nys Posts Emphatic Victory to Open World Cup Series
Writing yet another chapter in this cyclocross season’s evolving story of parity and podium diversity, Belgian champion Thibau Nys claimed a commanding solo victory in the opening round of the UCI World Cup in Tabor, Czechia.
Tabor always brings out the crowds.
The 23-year-old son of cyclocross legend Sven Nys seized control early when Joris Nieuwenhuis crashed in a slippery corner during the second lap. Nys immediately pushed the pace and consolidated his advantage, never looking back as he extended his lead throughout the eight-lap race.
The Belgian champion rode flawlessly on the frozen course with slippery sections all the way. With two laps remaining, Nys held a commanding 43-second lead, before easing up to celebrate his third career World Cup victory.
Laurens Sweeck finished second, eight seconds behind, while Nieuwenhuis recovered to claim third. Michael Vanthourenhout, one of the main favorites, suffered a major crash mid-race, which ended his podium hopes.
The win puts Nys in the World Cup leader’s jersey heading into next week’s round in Flamanville, France.
Lucinda Brand Extends Cyclocross Dominance With Tabor Victory
Lucinda Brand continues to dominate the women’s cyclocross field, claiming her latest victory at the UCI World Cup opener in Tabor, Czech Republic, on Sunday. The Dutch star secured her eighth win of the season, demonstrating the exceptional form that has made her nearly unbeatable this winter.
Brand held off the efforts of a resurgent Sara Casasola in freezing Tábor, with the Italian proving to be her toughest challenger. Brand split the group early, taking both Casasola and Van der Heijden with her. The race remained tactical through four laps as the Crelan-Corendon duo attempted to outsmart their stronger competitor.
Only on the final lap did European champion Inge van der Heijden fade, while Casasola held on into the final bends before Brand ultimately prevailed. The margin of victory was just one second, with van der Heijden finishing third.
The result marked Brand’s 51st consecutive podium finish, equaling compatriot Marianne Vos’s record. The former world champion now wears the first World Cup leader’s jersey of the 2025-26 series, continuing her remarkable reign over women’s cyclocross.
Brand’s consistency and tactical acumen have established her as the clear favorite heading into the remainder of the World Cup campaign.
Milan “Upsets” Pogačar at Monaco’s BeKING Criterium
Suggesting that Jonathan Milan beating Tadej Pogačar in a flat criterium isn’t much different than saying the same about Noah Lyles bewting Eliud Kipchoge in the 200 meters: They’re athletes with different strengths, racing in the sprinter’s event.
Still, it speaks to Pogačar’s reputation as broadly unbeatable that, when Milan indeed bested him at the BeKING Criterium in Monaco, most headlines featured the words “surprise” or “upset” — without the quotation marks you see above.
In fact, Pogačar finished second to Milan, while local rider Victor Langelotti rounded out the podium in third.
The race, which draws professional cyclists who call the principality home, also featured its first-ever women’s event. Dutch champion Lorena Wiebes claimed victory despite being struck by a car while training in Limburg just a week earlier. After several days of recovery, she returned to racing form and — in a similar sprinter-over-GC-rider outcome — held off Kasia Niewiadoma and Anna Trevisi for the win.
Prince Albert attended the charity event, showing his support for an initiative that has become a fixture on Monaco’s sporting calendar since its 2021 debut.
Professional cyclist Matteo Trentin founded the BeKING criterium to bridge the gap between Monaco’s cycling community and its residents. The event centers on youth engagement through organized kids rides and features multiple charity races throughout the day.
RIDER & TEAM NEWS
Cycling Canada Unveils 2026 National Events Calendar
Cycling Canada has announced its comprehensive 2026 national events calendar, featuring championships, Canada Cup series, and UCI-sanctioned international competitions across all cycling disciplines.
The championship calendar, first announced in July 2025, now includes two significant additions. The Canadian Cyclocross Championships debut in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, on October 31-November 1, 2026, while the Canadian XCM Mountain Bike Championships will be held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, on September 5, 2026.
The calendar also features UCI-sanctioned international events showcasing both emerging and elite talent. The Canada Cup series returns for another season, offering the country’s premier off-road racing across three disciplines: cross-country mountain biking, downhill mountain biking, and BMX racing.
Designed to bridge provincial-level competition with top international events, the Canada Cup caters to developing riders and elite athletes alike, providing a complete pathway for competitive growth throughout the Canadian cycling community.
Vino Jr. to Become a DS (in Training)
Kazakh rider Alexandr Vinokurov jr., who competed for the continental team XDS Astana Development Team and ended his cycling career this autumn due to injuries, has completed a training course at the UCI education center to become a Sports Director.
Starting from 2026, Alexandr will join XDS Astana Team as a trainee Sports Director. During the internship, Alexandr will work closely with the experienced Sports Directors of both the WorldTour and the continental teams
“In recent seasons, Alex had several injuries, and the last one turned out to be very serious….It is great that Alex decided to stay in cycling, completed his studies, passed the exams successfully, and now looks with optimism at a new role,” said Alexandr Shefer, Head Sports Director of XDS Astana Team.
AIOCC Elects a New President
The Management Committee of the AIOCC (which, I’ve learned, is the body that sits within the UCI and governs road races) recently appointed Javier Guillen, General Director of the Vuelta a España, as President for four years (2026-2029). He succeeds Christian Prudhomme, President of the AIOCC since 2008, who did not stand for re-election.
Said Prudhomme, “I have spent 17 wonderful years with the AiOCC, whose mission is to unite and bring people together. Now that we have surpassed the 200-member mark, it is the right time to smoothly pass on the torch.”
Guillen also voiced optimism: “It is a great honor to be elected President, a position with a great deal of responsibility. I want to continue the work carried out by Christian Prudhomme. We have a common goal within the AIOCC: to make cycling better! ”
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