Teams & Riders NSN Cycling

[pastronef]

GIRMAY officially confirmed for 3 seasons 2026-27-28. very good

 

[Leadbelly]

A new chapter awaits Biniam Girmay at NSN Cycling Team - NSN Cycling Team

NSN Cycling Team is proud to confirm the signing of African history-maker Biniam Girmay on a three-year contract through to 2028.

nsncyclingteam.com

Phew.

A Girmay type rider isn't really what the team needed for a balanced squad going into the new season, but tbh it doesn't really matter in this case. They needed a big name, a leader, a marquee signing and they've got one. It seemed a very unlikely outcome two or three months ago when I thought they'd have to promote more youngsters from the devo or take the "dregs" that nobody else wanted just to fill out the squad.

There was some talk a while back that Roel van Sintmaartensdijk might move across with him, but not heard anything since then. DS Dmitri Claeys however, according to HLN, will be following him. I guess his brother will join the devo team too, though there are better young Eritreans out there I'd rather take than him.

 

[aphronesis]

By various accounts Adams is still physically present and may or may not have financial input. Gee’s contract is logistically in place, but when UCI arbitrate is typically opaque.

 

[Leadbelly]

Hugo Houle is a good guy and it'd be difficult to forget his stage win at the Tour, but sportingly I don't think he'll be a big miss.

In theory his transfer means the team has two free spots now (three when Clarke retires at the end of January). Not sure if they'll be filled or not. Kretschy and Tene are both at the team training camp, so will at least have devo contracts despite both being a couple of seasons past their espoir years - maybe one or both could move up?

Not too many riders of interest left in the PCS "No Contract for Next Year" section once you take out the ones who just haven't announced their renewals. Maybe a 1-yr deal for Huby or Bonneu?

 

[dougvdh]

Hugo Houle is a good guy and it'd be difficult to forget his stage win at the Tour, but sportingly I don't think he'll be a big miss.
(snip)

Houle is the sort of rider that every team needs a handful of. The sort of guys who will work their asses off in the parts of the stage before the tv coverage even starts. You can't win without them.

 

[Leadbelly]

Houle is the sort of rider that every team needs a handful of. The sort of guys who will work their asses off in the parts of the stage before the tv coverage even starts. You can't win without them.

Absolutely, but age catches up with everyone and imo he's just not the same rider of a couple of years ago.

I could be wrong ofc and maybe he'll go get another GT stage win in 2026. Only time will tell.

 

[Wyndbrook]

I doubt the Roodhoft brothers care how good or bad Houle will be if his signing helped faclitate the arrival of Premier Tech.

 

[jono]

I doubt the Roodhoft brothers care how good or bad Houle will be if his signing helped faclitate the arrival of Premier Tech.

I was a bit surprised Premier Tech didn't manager to bring over a few more of their own guys, but I guess Boivin and Woods both retired, and Gee's situation is complicated, and he's not a good fit with Alpecin anyway. P-A Coté might be more of a style fit, except Alpecin already have better guys with the same strengths.

 

[Leadbelly]

I was a bit surprised Premier Tech didn't manager to bring over a few more of their own guys

It wouldn't surprise me if Houle hadn't had some sort of clause in his contract which, in the event of Premier Tech stopping sponsorship for whatever reason, allowed him to leave for whichever team they ended up at. Of the guys you listed, he's the only one who I would say is one of "their own guys" and obviously has a very close relationship to the sponsor.

Of course with Adams no longer on the scene, both major Canadian links have gone (though they still have Canadian staff and Boivin/Cote) and any future Canadian stars will probably lean towards Alpecin now rather than anywhere else.

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Some other snippets of info:

Maranchon says he isn't signing for a Swiss team. Bit of a shame to lose out on both him and Frigo Jr.

Vernon will start his season Down Under. Does that means Strong won't be there? Not sure.