Swiss UCI Continental Team NEXETIS will begin its 2026 racing campaign in Spain in mid-February, combining road, gravel and mountain bike objectives during an early-season block based in the Valencia region.
The team will start its second season under sports director Edi Telser, opening on February 15th at the Chelva Mountain Bike HC race. That is followed by the Clásica de AlmerÃa road race a week later, before a third outing at the Gravel World Series event in Llucena.
Nina Kessler joins to fill key on-road leadership role
The headline addition is experienced Dutch rider Nina Kessler, who joins as the squad’s road captain. Telser said the move follows an internal review of last season, with NEXETIS identifying the need for a rider who can interpret the flow of a race, communicate clearly during competition, and guide younger riders through key moments.
Kessler’s role is framed as tactical and organisational as much as it is results-focused, effectively acting as the team’s on-the-road reference point in races where positioning and decision-making can be decisive.
Yurina Kinoshita exits, further Japanese link remains possible
NEXETIS also confirmed that Yurina Kinoshita is no longer part of the squad, with the Japanese rider returning home for personal reasons. The team added that another Japanese rider may join later in the spring, linked to its collaboration with partner Nippo.
While the race calendar opens quickly, the long-term goal remains consistent: NEXETIS aims to provide a stable environment for developing riders and help them step up towards the professional level.
NEXETIS 2026 squad
- Nika Bobnar (Slovenia, 2003)
- Ginia Caluori (Switzerland, 2002)
- Lea Huber (Switzerland, 2004)
- Anina Hutter (Switzerland, 2005)
- Mizuki Ikeda (Japan, 2004)
- Noelle Ingold (Switzerland, 2000)
- Nina Kessler (Netherlands, 1988)
- Jasmin Liechti (Switzerland, 2002)
- Annika Liehner (Switzerland, 2002)
- Noëlle Rüetschi (Switzerland, 2004)
- Larissa Tschenett (Switzerland, 2001)
- Tsuyaka Uchino (Japan, 2002)
- Mara Winter (Switzerland, 2006)
