The first Black African rider to win the coveted Tour points classification had long been rumoured to be leaving his Intermarché-Wanty team, with which he had become a star, also winning three Tour stages, a stage of the 2022 Giro d’Italia and the 2022 Gent-Wevelgem. Girmay had been contracted with Intermarché-Wanty until 2028, but when the team decided to merge with fellow Belgian team Lotto, a move that has still not yet been finalised, it was inevitable that the Eritrean rider would move. Reports had suggested that Lotto was insisting that Girmay be part of the merger, but what financial remuneration, if any, it received was not made public.
Girmay joins a team with several good young sprinters, such as Corbin Strong, Ethan Vernon and Jake Stewart – though none of them quite have his Palmares. “I’m really happy to be here, especially with a new atmosphere and a new beginning, for me and for the team,” Girmay was quoted as saying on the NSN website. “As a rider, I always like to have a good environment, especially inside the team, and I already heard a lot of positive things from my new teammates. When I look back at the last two years of the team, the team has improved so much.”
One of the factors of his moving to NSN must have been its ongoing commitment to community projects in Africa, such as the Field of Dreams cycling centre in Rwanda, established by Israel–Premier Tech in partnership with the Community of Hope. This project aims to provide opportunities for young people through cycling and an infrastructure that includes a race track and modern training facilities.
“In Eritrea, cycling is our culture – it’s in our blood,” Girmay said. “And as an African rider, I want to develop African cycling. This team has already done incredible things. I’m super happy to be part of a team with a big project in Rwanda. For the team and me, it’s a nice combination – an African rider and a team that wants to develop cycling in Africa.”
He was also drawn to NSN by its lead-out train and its team spirit. “Looking at the team’s sprint train, they were always really strong, especially how they stayed together and motivated each other,” he said. “I heard them many times during races, motivating each other so much, so I’m really looking forward to working together. I see a great opportunity with NSN Cycling Team and I feel that this is the best thing for my future.”
NSN Cycling is co-owned by the international sports and entertainment company NSN (Never Say Never), which was co-founded by the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andrés Iniesta, and by the Geneva-based global investment platform Stoneweg. It describes itself as a Swiss team with a Spanish structure.
The team was naturally delighted to have signed a rider of Girmay’s ability and profile. “We are incredibly excited to welcome Biniam to NSN Cycling Team,” said the team’s general manager, former rider Kjell Carlström. “Not only will 2026 mark a new chapter for the team, but it also represents one for Biniam, and I couldn’t think of a better time to embark on a new chapter.
“Biniam represents everything we love about cycling. His talent is obvious, but his humility and drive are what make him an extraordinary cyclist. From the first conversation, it was clear he shares our vision both on and off the bike, and I have no doubt he will be a fantastic fit and will be a leader of our team, inspiring our riders and the entire cycling community.”
Carlström is a holdover from Israel–Premier Tech, which was driven out of the sport by a series of pro-Palestinian protests targeting that team’s owner, the Canadian-Israeli billionaire Sylvan Adams, who had styled himself as an ambassador to Israel and had ties to the government. The team’s name sponsor, Premier Tech, insisted that the name also be changed, but then dropped out anyway and is now sponsoring the French team St. Michel-Preference Home-Auber93. NSN said it had taken over IPT’s “WorldTour and Development team structure,” though it released no other details about the takeover.
