Andres Iniesta, the celebrated World Cup champion, is thrilled to embark on a new adventure as the co-owner of the NSN Cycling team. In an exclusive interview, Iniesta, 41, shared his enthusiasm for this venture, emphasizing its significance on multiple levels. He believes that it goes beyond sports, encompassing the values, excitement, and community that surround it.
The former Barcelona star, who co-founded the sports and entertainment management company Never Say Never (NSN) with businessman Joel Borras in 2018, is now expanding his horizons into the world of cycling. NSN has recently acquired a World Tour cycling team, marking a significant milestone in its journey. This move is particularly exciting for Iniesta, who has a personal connection to the sport, having watched road cycling with his grandfather.
The team's latest addition is Biniam Girmay, one of the hottest talents in road cycling's UCI World Tour. Girmay's impressive achievements, including winning the prestigious green jersey at the Tour de France in 2024, make him a valuable asset. Iniesta expressed his eagerness to delve deeper into the sport, learn from the riders, and appreciate the immense work that goes into every race.
NSN's goal is to keep growing, enjoy the journey, and showcase the power of a united team. Iniesta believes that while individual riders win races, it is the collective effort that defines a team's success. With a World Tour license secured as part of the deal to take over Israel Premier Tech, NSN is poised to compete in cycling's biggest races, including the Tour de France, next year.
The team's roster includes five British riders, such as Stevie Williams, Jake Stewart, and sprinter Ethan Vernon. However, the team faced a setback when four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome was released last month. Iniesta's involvement in the team goes beyond a mere product endorsement; it's a passion project that combines his love for sports and his desire to contribute to the cycling community.
Despite the challenges, such as the high costs of transporting teams and equipment worldwide, NSN is determined to make a mark in the sport. The team's budget, likely reasonable with Girmay's annual salary estimated at two million euros, reflects the belief that cycling is a virtually untapped platform for growth. However, the sport remains a deceptively expensive endeavor, and the division of money and power, largely controlled by Tour organizers ASO, is a topic of ongoing discussion and debate.
