BARCELONA (Reuters) — The Israeli-founded NSN Cycling Team was acclaimed just like any other outfit during the Tour de France teams presentation in Barcelona on Thursday, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere last year when the team competed as Israel-Premier Tech.

The team was subjected to a series of protests over its involvement in races in 2025, including widespread disruption at the Vuelta a Espana, when they were targeted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators opposing Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

During last year’s Tour de France opening presentation in Lille, they were escorted by plainclothes officers, while they were given extra security on the Tour with police officers guarding the team bus.

A protester wearing a t-shirt reading “Israel out of the Tour” disrupted the sprint finish of the 11th stage of the race.

However, the team has completely rebranded after more than a decade with an Israeli identity, with sports and entertainment company Never Say Never — co-founded by former Barcelona and Spain footballer Andres Iniesta — taking over in November.

NSN had partnered with Stoneweg, a Swiss investment platform in Geneva, and the team is now registered with a Swiss license operating mostly from Girona and Barcelona, where the world’s most prestigious cycling race starts on Saturday.

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