Biniam Girmay ignores NSN’s past and sets his 2026 target: 'I am here to win, not to be a politician'
Biniam Girmay has started his season on a high, winning the opening stage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and taking the points jersey in the process. Speaking afterwards, the Eritrean framed it as the kind of start that can steady a year, especially after a 2025 that never quite clicked.
“It is incredible to start like this with the new team,” Girmay said to Marca. “The first race gives us confidence to continue this way for the rest of the season.”
At 25 and with 17 wins already on his record, Girmay is used to carrying expectations, not only inside the peloton but back home too. Still, he spoke plainly about what went missing last year, when he did not win a race, and what he is trying to rebuild now, one result at a time.
"They are different years and different circumstances, but last year I had many ups and downs,” he said. “In 2024 I won three stages in the Tour de France and in that way I managed to achieve a big goal. This season there is a lot of pressure, both within the team and on me, but I have learned from everything that happened last season. This year I am only focusing on finding a winning mentality.”
That reset, he suggested, is helped by the change of surroundings at NSN Cycling Team. “It is completely different,” Girmay said. “Here we are a more global and international team, with many nationalities. I like that atmosphere. It is a very organised setup and it plans everything well with each rider. NSN has higher quality riders and staff. And I have found great teammates.”
The obvious follow up, given the team’s history and branding shifts, was about whether NSN has moved beyond its previous Israeli identity. Girmay did not bite.
“To be honest, I do not care,” he said. “The only thing that matters to me is the people in the team and the family atmosphere we have. We are here to ride bikes, not to be politicians. The name is the name, but we want to compete. We have ambition and I am here to win.”
His calendar for 2026 is built around familiar targets. “The Tour de France is the main objective, because it is the race everyone wants to win,” he said. “The Classics will also be one of my big goals.”
When the green jersey was mentioned, he kept it realistic without closing the door. “It is not easy to say right now,” he said. “The green jersey rewards consistency. A stage win gives 50 points, so it would not be a bad idea to fight for it.”
Join our WhatsApp service
Be first to know. Subscribe to Domestique on WhatsApp for free and stay up to date with all the latest from the world of cycling.
