After Gee's transfer announcement, NSN Cycling Team presents two new reinforcements, including trusted Girmay-helper

This Tuesday, Lidl-Trek announced that Derek Gee-West would ride for the German-American team. He left Israel - Premier Tech at the end of 2025. That team, which will be known as NSN Cycling Team in 2026, announced the very same day that two riders would join the squad for next season.

Dion Smith and Rotem Tene will ride for the team in 2026. The New Zealander comes over from Intermarché-Wanty, while the Israeli will be promoted from the training team. "Dion brings a wealth of experience after a decade in the pro peloton,' says general manager Kjell Carlström on the team's website. "He will add depth to our one-day and stage race rosters, playing a key role as a support rider."

The 24-year-old Tene won a stage in this year's Tour of Portugal and became a national champion. After five years with the training team, he will turn pro with the elite team. "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."

Smith can't wait to start after leaving the merger team. "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. 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 WorldTour."

Tene is at the other end of the spectrum: he will start his first year as a pro. "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. 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!”