NSN Cycling Team save one of Intermarché - Lotto merger victims - "The team has always seemed like a great fit"
Cycling
Intermarché - Wanty had around a dozen riders be told they wouldn't have a contract for 2026 very late in the winter, and many have struggled to find new teams whilst others retired from the sport. One of the few riders who was still left without a contract, Dion Smith, is one of the two signings that NSN Cycling Team have confirmed this Tuesday afternoon.
“To have this late opportunity to sign for NSN Cycling Team this season feels very natural as the team has always seemed like a great fit for myself,” Smith said in a press release. "Being surrounded by familiar faces and guys I train with a lot creates an environment I feel very motivated to be a part of. 2026 will now be key for me to show I still belong in the World Tour, being a valuable asset to race leaders within the team.”
The 32-year old's career was on a limbo, and there was genuine worry that he might not make it into the 2026 season. This, despite him having won one out of the four races that the Belgian team had to show this past season, at the Volta NXT Classic. The classics rider didn't have a particularly standout year, but was one of the few riders who gave Intermarché highlights to show for. However, he didn't get a contract aftewr its merger with Lotto. He's now signed a one-year deal with the Swiss team.
“We are pleased to welcome Dion Smith to the team and happy to have made space for him ahead of the 2026 racing season,” team manager Kjell Carlström added. "Dion brings a wealth of experience after a decade in the pro peloton and will add depth to our one-day and stage race rosters, playing a key role as a support rider".
Team sign Israeli talent
The second transfer is Rotem Tene, a 24-year old sprinter who is the current Israeli national champion. Although the team is no longer Israel - Premier Tech, it maintains the same structure which gives space for its athletes to be part of the team. The 24-year old won a stage of the Volta a Portugal as well this past summer and has shown considerable talent as a sprinter and puncheur.
“Going professional has been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and dear God did I not expect for it to be this hard,” Tene said. "It really does take everything you got to make it in this game, doesn’t it? It makes it even sweeter to finally achieve it. I’m excited to finally find out what I’m worth at the top level of the sport!”
He will only become a pro rider from the 2nd of February onwards with the team however, following the retirement of Simon Clarke who will still be present at the Australian races this month.
“While Rotem has repeatedly shown his strength as a sprinter in the five years he has raced for the Development Team and we are excited to see him develop further over the next two years," Carlström continued.
"Dion’s experience and Rotem’s long-term potential perfectly complement our strategy as we continue to build a competitive and cohesive roster for the coming seasons. At the same time, we have wanted to bring Rotem Tene up from the Development Team, a promotion he well and truly deserves, and it made sense for him to take Simon Clarke’s spot in the team following his retirement at the end of the Australian racing block.
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Adding more power to our 2026 roster ⚡️ We’re excited to announce that @DionSmithy 🇳🇿 joins us on a one-year contract, while national road champion Rotem Tene 🇮🇱 is signing on for two years following his graduation from our development program, and will join the team from
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