Biniam Girmay has had a winless 2025 season. He’s come close: there was the second place finish on a chaotic opening stage of the Tour de France, the podium spots at the Volta ao Algarve, Classique Dunkerque, Rund um Köln and Grand Prix de Wallonie against esteemed company, though the top step of the podium has eluded him. The Eritrean rider hasn’t exactly been off the pace, but his previous three Tour stage wins and Gent-Wevelgem victory have set a sort of standard. It is an expectation that the man himself is determined to live up to.
In order to get back where he wants, Girmay believes he knows the crucial ingredient that was missing this season for the perfect recipe for success: a lead-out train which he trusts. The 25-year-old’s going to find that, he says, at NSN Cycling Team, the squad which he has joined for the next three seasons.
“Last year was not that easy, as we had a lot of ups and downs at Intermarché. Nowadays in bike racing you need to have everything one hundred percent. It’s not only about yourself, but your teammates, the material you have, and in this team we have more than enough,” Girmay stated at his new team’s recent media day.
Image: James Startt
“[The lead out] is just better. That’s the reality of it. It’s better. The way they communicate and their approach is super nice. It’s what I missed.”
Girmay highlighted the various fast men who will help – hopefully – deliver him over the line first next season, pointing out that British rider Jake Stewart is expected to be integral in this squad.
“Especially with Jake [as his last lead-out man]. We are more or less the same age, I have raced often with him, and I think he is the guy I am looking for. I am happy to be here and to be his teammate,” he commented.
“There are a couple of other names for the lead out, too. For the Classics and the Monuments we have enough guys to support. I think this is the best team I can have for my type of profile. Looking at this team, I think next season we will be one of the more competitive sprinting teams. I want to win everything and this is the team that fits me really well.”
Image: Zac Williams/SWpix.com
It’s not just in his colleagues that Girmay expects to find gains next season. He spoke about the support he will receive from NSN Cycling Team, who bring bike sponsor Scott on board next season as well as various other new technical partners. The budget and access to resources is expected to be greater than that of Wanty, something that Girmay argues is imperative in the modern peloton which is more competitive than ever.
“We have everything: the best bikes, the best teammates, and I think next year we can look forward to having good victories,” he said. “I’m looking forward to beginning the season in a good way and to try and enjoy it and improve as much as we can with the team. 2024 was my best season, and hopefully next season with the [Tour de France] start in Barcelona we can make it better.”
While the Eritrean rider acknowledges that people will be watching him with high hopes in 2026, he argues that external voices aren’t the driving factor for his success. The person putting the most pressure on him, as always, is himself. It’s this which has secured him 16 career victories so far, and it is this which will ensure he keeps adding to that win tally in 2026.
“The expectations from myself are of course high,” he said. “The Grand Départ will be in Barcelona and my biggest goal is to win a stage of the Tour, and to go for the green jersey again.”
Cover image: Zac Williams/SWpix.com
