Biniam Girmay 'almost quite sure' to leave Intermarché amid Lotto merger uncertainty

As we enter November, the final details surrounding the Lotto-Intermarché merger are yet to be revealed. What is certain is that with two teams’ worth of riders and staff trying to fit into one, many won’t be involved and remain in the dark surrounding their futures.

We already know for sure about some riders who won't be involved in the merger for other reasons. Those who have signed contracts elsewhere include Alec Segaert, moving from Lotto to Bahrain-Victorious, or Laurenz Rex from Intermarché-Wanty to Soudal-QuickStep, among others. 

Meanwhile, decorated riders such as Elia Viviani and Louis Meintjes have hung up their wheels after distinguished careers, but there are many riders who aren’t sure where their futures lie, including the current star of Intermarché-Wanty.

The UCI's recent publication of WorldTour licence applicants showed Lotto on the list while Intermarché was absent, effectively confirming Lotto will absorb Intermarché. Under UCI rules, Intermarché riders with contracts for 2026, including Biniam Girmay, are free to break those agreements and sign elsewhere. 

Wielerflits has reported that Louis Barré will sign for Visma | Lease a Bike, but there hasn’t been a formal announcement yet, with Intermarché still trying to extract a transfer fee, citing Belgian labour law, with Biniam Girmay facing a similar issue, illustrating the complicatedness for all parties involved.

In theory, Girmay, winner of three stages and the points classification in the 2024 Tour de France and a ready-made leader, would be a priority to keep for the merger team for the powers that be. And this looks to be the case as it is anticipated that the Eritrean will be amongst those who will be listed on the roster when confirmed, according to reports from Cyclingnews. 

However, despite this, there is still a strong chance that Girmay will apply his craft elsewhere in 2026. It is no secret that Girmay has been linked with a move away, with Israel Premier Tech, who are set to rebrand for 2026, the frontrunners to secure the Eritrean’s signature, according to various reports. 

Girmay’s most recent comments have further indicated the possibility of a move away from Intermarché and the impending merger. Speaking to Cyclingnews at the EFGH Tour de France Criterium in Singapore, Girmay made it clear that he still isn’t sure who he will race for in 2026.

“Obviously, it's not the right time to speak because we don't decide personally. Of course, the merger is already happening, and tomorrow they will announce the guys who will personally stay,” said Girmay. "Before, I was 50-50 if I stay or not; now I'm almost quite sure I will not stay."

Girmay also made no secret of the fact that he and his agent Alex Carera have been in discussions with other teams, in an attempt to secure his future, but admitted, like everyone else, that the lack of certainty surrounding the details of the merger is making things more difficult.

"We are still talking with some good teams, but it's just talk because I cannot do anything without knowing what my team [are doing] and also without knowing if I am free or not. Nothing is done yet, nothing is on paper."

Girmay's frustration with the situation as a whole was also evident, with the Eritrean pointing to the success of the team in recent seasons and how finances impacted 2025, with the merger seen as the solution for these financial concerns.

"In the last two years, we improved so much and we’ve already shown we’re capable of winning the big races. This year it's really pissed [?] me off because we've lost the money, we don't have that much budget to buy riders, and to keep the good guys we [already] have, so it's not the best year because of this kind of situation.”