Biniam Girmay has joined NSN Cycling Team on a three-year contract, the team, which emerged from the acquisition and rebrand of Israel-Premier Tech, confirmed on Monday.
A three-time Tour de France stage-winner, Girmay had been linked with Israel-Premier Tech from earlier in the year, but it remained unclear what kit he would be racing in for 2026 as the messy fusion of Lotto and Intermarché began to take shape. The late confirmation of the merger of the Eritrean’s old team – which he had been signed with through 2028 – and the changes at his prospective new team delivered a dual roadblock.
But after it was announced on November 28 that he had departed Intermarché early after agreeing a deal to terminate his contract early, this opened the door for his big move to take place and NSN to get the star they wanted.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Biniam to NSN Cycling Team. Not only will 2026 mark a new chapter for the team, but it also represents one for Biniam and I couldn’t think of a better time to embark on a new chapter together,” said team General Manager Kjell Carlström.
Israel-Premier Tech changed to NSN on November 20 after a joint takeover by sports and entertainment company NSN – which was co-founfed by legendary Spanish footballer, Andres Iniesta – and global investment platform Stoneweg. The latter is a Swiss company, and the team will race under a Swiss licence in 2026.
Girmay had been looking to stay with Intermarché-Wanty for the long term before the merger took place with Lotto, which, if he stayed, would have left Girmay racing alongside fellow versatile sprinter Arnaud De Lie.
“I’m really happy to be here, especially with a new atmosphere and a new beginning, for me and for the team,” added Girmay. “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.
Girmay started…
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