Imagine being a cyclist, pedaling through the grueling stages of a major race, only to face not just physical exhaustion but relentless hostility from protesters – all because of your team's name. That's the stark reality that unfolded for the Israel-Premier Tech squad during the tumultuous final stretch of the 2025 cycling season, leaving riders and staff questioning why they were singled out. Former Director Sportif Francesco Frassi, reflecting on those intense months, pulls no punches in his critique, painting a picture of unfair treatment that went far beyond the usual race-day challenges.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is it fair for athletes to bear the brunt of political disputes, even when their sport is meant to unite people across borders? Frassi, who has remained loyal to the organization through its evolution from Israel-Premier Tech to the new NSN Cycling Team for 2026, opened up in an interview with Bici.Pro about the wave of protests that began at the Vuelta a España – that's the prestigious Tour of Spain, one of cycling's Grand Tours, spanning three weeks of intense racing across the country. These demonstrations didn't stop there; they spread to competitions in Italy and France, severely hampering the team's performance and leading to some late-season pullouts from events. For beginners in the cycling world, think of the Vuelta as a high-stakes marathon on bikes, where teams battle for glory, points, and rankings that could make or break careers.
Frassi, who wasn't on-site for much of the Vuelta, described feeling the heat through constant updates from his team members. 'There was immense pressure,' he recalled. 'Even watching on TV, it was evident how chaotic things were – and I couldn't grasp the full chaos from afar.' Back in Italy, the situation escalated as race organizers grew terrified that disruptions might derail their events entirely. As an Italian sports director himself, Frassi got direct calls from those planners. The trouble really ignited during races like the Gran Premio Beghelli and others in the Emilia region, where the fear was palpable: would these protests shut everything down? In the end, the team had to make the tough call to skip certain starts, though they were fortunate to have secured enough points to hold their spot in the elite WorldTour category – the top tier of professional cycling.
One particularly dramatic moment was the complete cancellation of Stage 21 at the 2025 Vuelta due to the protests, a rare occurrence that underscores how deeply politics infiltrated the sport. 'Middle fingers, people shouting at us': life inside the hostility. The animosity didn't vanish outside Spain either. Frassi recounted uncomfortable incidents, such as at the Grand Prix d'Isbergues in France, where riders were met with rude gestures and verbal attacks as they crossed the finish line. 'It wasn't pleasant,' he said. 'They made you feel like a villain, even though you're just there to race.' This open-road aspect of cycling, unlike enclosed stadium sports, makes it an easier target for such expressions of discontent. For context, Frassi pointed out how a soccer match, like a World Cup qualifier between Italy and Israel, might pass without incident, while cycling's exposed nature amplifies the visibility of protests.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite the upheaval, the riders adapted with remarkable composure. They handled the sudden shifts in the schedule gracefully, even starting their off-season a bit prematurely. Frassi credited team manager Kjell Carlstrom for keeping everyone grounded. 'He reassured us constantly and kept the lines of communication open,' Frassi noted. 'That transparency was key to maintaining our stability.' Now, with the rebrand to NSN Cycling, there's a palpable sense of liberation. 'We finally saw a clear path forward for 2026,' Frassi explained. 'It felt like escaping a political tempest and focusing solely on the sport we love.' Fresh from a training camp in Denia, Spain, Frassi reported a buzz of excitement in Rome. 'Morale is soaring. We're geared up with top-notch equipment, highly driven, and far more at ease. We're eager to outline our goals and ambitions. In short, we're thrilled.'
Yet, this story raises provocative questions: Should sports teams be immune from political fallout tied to their sponsorship or names, especially when they're just athletes chasing personal and team victories? Does this incident highlight a broader issue of how global tensions can unfairly disrupt individual careers? And what about the protesters – were they justified in targeting cyclists, or did they cross a line by intimidating people who had no direct role in the controversies? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments: Do you agree that cycling should be a neutral zone free from such pressures, or do you see it as an unavoidable intersection of sport and society? Let's discuss – what side are you on?
