Biniam Girmay confirms Intermarché exit ahead of 'new chapter'

Biniam Girmay has confirmed his departure from Intermarché-Wanty ahead of his expected move to NSN Cycling Team, formerly known as Israel-Premier Tech.

The Eritrean leaves Intermarché after four and a half seasons, having joined midway through 2021. He made an immediate impact with victory at Gent-Wevelgem in 2022, which he quickly followed with a stage win at the Giro d’Italia. In 2024, Girmay claimed three stage wins at the Tour de France, finishing the race in the green jersey as winner of the points classification

Girmay’s decision to leave Intermarché comes as the team prepares to merge with Lotto for the 2026 season.

“It has been a wonderful journey for me with Intermarché-Wanty,” Girmay said in a statement on Friday morning. “I am still grateful for the belief they showed in me five years ago and for giving me the chance to become a WorldTour rider. Over these years, we built a strong bond based on mutual trust and grew together, step by step, from a lower profile to the top level of world cycling. Along the way, we worked hard and pushed each other to keep improving. 

“We achieved great things and showed what is possible when everyone is aligned. I truly enjoyed working with this team – the riders, the staff, and the management – everyone contributed something important. At times, we have to embrace change. Now it is time for a new chapter, I want to thank everyone at Intermarché-Wanty for the past five seasons.”

Girmay has long been linked with a move to what is now known as NSN Cycling Team, but the saga has been complicated both by the merger of Intermarché and Lotto and by the state of flux at his likely new team amid its rebranding.

Israel-Premier Tech was the focus of repeated protests during the Vuelta a España amid Israel’s invasion of Gaza, with the team later announcing that it would rebrand and move away from its Israeli identity in 2026.

Despite that pledge, Premier Tech withdrew its backing, with NSN coming on board as the team’s new title sponsor last week. NSN are currently at their first training camp of the winter in Spain, but it is not known if Girmay will join them there.

In an unusual step, Intermarché’s press release announcing Girmay’s departure included a statement from his agent Alex Carera, whose clients also include Tadej Pogacar.

“Now the paths diverge, but professionalism and humanity have always been at the core of the relationship between the parties,” Carera said. “A&J All Sports would like to thank Jean-François Bourlart for understanding the needs of the African champion both yesterday and today and the Leyman Advocaten firm for their valuable support throughout the process.”