No Biniam Girmay in merger team Lotto-Intermarché: Eritrean star departs for a new opportunity

Biniam Girmay will leave Intermarché–Wanty. The Eritrean star departs the Belgian team after five years at WorldTour level, a period in which he won three Tour de France stages, the green jersey and Gent-Wevelgem. The merged squad Lotto–Intermarché will therefore not be able to count on the top sprinter, who is setting out on a new adventure.

Girmay turned professional in 2020 with the small DELKO team, where his exceptional talent was visible at a very young age. After a year and a half with the French outfit, he joined Intermarché–Wanty, where he flourished in the WorldTour. In 2022 he became the first African rider ever to win Gent-Wevelgem, and he repeated that pioneering status in the Giro d’Italia, defeating Mathieu van der Poel in a sprint.

After several years performing just below the absolute elite, Girmay made his true breakthrough at the Tour de France, winning the third stage in Turin. He repeated that achievement in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises and Villeneuve-sur-Lot, securing the green jersey as well. Following a more difficult 2025 season, rumours of a departure began to grow — rumours that have now become reality.

His contract, originally running through 2028, has been terminated. In a statement issued on the website of his now-former team, Girmay said: “It has been an incredible journey for me at Intermarché–Wanty. I am still grateful for the trust they showed in me five years ago and for the opportunity I received to become a WorldTour rider.”

He continued by reflecting on the bond built over the years: “In recent years we have built a strong relationship based on mutual trust and we have grown together, step by step, from a lower profile to the highest level of international cycling. We worked hard and pushed each other to become better. We achieved great things and showed what is possible when everyone shares the same vision.”

Girmay’s three Tour de France stage wins — and his green jersey — will forever remain part of cycling history. He added: “I truly enjoyed my time with this team — with the riders, the staff and the management — each contributed in their own way. Sometimes you must embrace change. It is time for a new chapter, and I want to thank everyone at Intermarché–Wanty for these past five seasons.”

Team boss Jean-François Bourlart has no shortage of fond memories. "Overwhelming emotions will always remain, such as the silver medal at the Leuven World Championships, to his victories in Gent-Wevelgem and the Giro d'Italia. The win in the Circuit Franco-Belge, in the presence of our team partners and so close to our service course, will always be special, too."

"And then of course the success in Turin, our first stage win in the Tour de France, and the green jersey in Nice - these are moments that are forever etched in our history," he added. It is not yet official where Girmay will continue his career, but NSN Cycling Team, the successor to Israel - Premier Tech, currently appears to be the most likely destination.