Biniam Girmay's potential switch to Israel-Premier Tech
Rumours have indicated that a change of teams could be on the cards for Girmay, with reports now suggesting that Israel-Premier Tech is the most likely destination for the Eritrean
There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the future of Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) heading into the 2026 season and which colours he will race in.
Girmay's current contract with the Belgian team, Intermarché-Wanty, runs through until the end of the 2028 season, though it looks increasingly likely that it will not be completed.
This uncertainty has been enhanced by the fact that two of Belgium's most established cycling teams, Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty, are on the verge of merging operations, with both teams seeking to secure financial stability, which will enhance their competitiveness at the WorldTour level.
Naturally, with the potential merger between two teams, many riders will be seeking a new team, whether that be by choice or design.
A rider with the pedigree of Biniam Girmay would naturally be one of the first names to build around in the event of a merger. But at the same time, the 25-year-old wouldn’t be short of offers elsewhere, with several WorldTour teams, including UAE Team Emirates-XRG, XDS Astana, and Israel-Premier Tech, having all been reported in recent months to have thrown their name into the hat for the Eritrean’s signature.
There were further signs of Girmay’s future plans which emerged recently when his agent Alex Carera posted a photo on Instagram of the duo in Leuven with an interesting caption stating, “After today, his future is more clear.”
Belgian newspaper,Le Soir, reports that Girmay has been offered a three-year contract with the team to begin in the 2026 or 2027 season, depending on the merger developments at his current team. However, this has yet to be confirmed by any party involved.
This comes after five and a half successful years at Intermarché-Wanty, during which the Eritrean became a history maker on multiple occasions, including his victory at Gent-Wevelgem and stage win at the Giro d’Italia in 2022, combined with his three stage wins and green jersey at the Tour de France in 2024.
Israel-Premier Tech have been the subject of pro-Palestine protests during the ongoing Vuelta a España, with stage 11’s finish being neutralised from the three-kilometre-to-go mark due to safety concerns.
Le Soir had also indicated that the team would drop 'Israel' from the jersey for 2026, though cycling journalist Daniel Benson reported 'that's not accurate,' based on what he had been informed by some sources.
