Biniam Girmay seals long-awaited transfer to NSN Cycling Team

NSN Cycling Team have confirmed the long-awaited signing of Biniam Girmay after months of speculation regarding the Eritrean’s future for 2026.

This comes after four and a half successful years at Intermarché-Wanty, having joined midway through the 2021 season from French continental team Delko.

During this time, the Eritrean has established himself as one of the stars of the peloton, and become a history maker on multiple occasions with victories at Gent Wevelgem and Giro d’Italia stage win in 2022, followed by three stage wins and the points classification at the Tour de France in 2024.

“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. There is a really good team spirit,” Gimary said in a statement released by NSN on Monday.

“Looking at the team’s sprint train, they were always really strong, especially how they stayed together and motivated each other. 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.” 

In total, Girmay scored twelve victories for the Belgian team and was Intermarché’s highest UCI points scorer in three out of the previous four seasons.

There was plenty of speculation and uncertainty about whether this move would go ahead, amid the fact that two of Belgium's most established cycling teams, Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty, have been in the process of merging operations ahead of the 2026 season, and this has left many riders in limbo regarding their futures.

NSN Cycling Team, which will operate under a Swiss licence from January despite its Spanish backing, have been busy in the transfer market with six riders joining and eight departing. Girmay marks the sixth signing, following confirmed moves for Lewis Askey, Ryan Mullen and Alessandro Pinarello, while Brady Gilmore and Pau Martí step up from the development squad.

The Eritrean is expected to spearhead the team's ambitions in the spring classics while providing a formidable sprint option throughout the season, filling the void left by Pascal Ackermann, who departs for Jayco AlUla.

NSN (Never Say Never), founded in 2018, represents a new sponsorship for the team previously backed by Israel-Premier Tech following the team’s decision to rebrand from its Israeli identity following plenty of protests, most notably at the Vuelta a España. 

The Spanish company has diverse sporting interests, including organising exhibition football matches featuring stars like Lionel Messi and owning Danish football team Helsingor FC. They also hold a majority stake in gravel bike brand GUAVA.