"After today, his future is more clear" - Biniam Girmay's agent teases likely transfer

Biniam Girmay and Intermarché - Wanty felt like a match made in heaven and for a few years this was the case, but it seems increasingly likely that the relationship will come to an end at the end of the 2025 season. A post by his own agent Alex Carera - who also manages Tadej Pogacar, amongst others - makes it clear that there was a big decision made this Saturday.

The Belgian team signed Girmay in mid-2021, taking a risk with a rider that until recently continued to have visa limitations to travel to Europe, but turned him into one of the best sprinters and classics riders in the world, as well as an international superstar. His 2022 Gent-Wevelgem victory changed a lot, and at the Giro d'Italia that year he beat Mathieu van der Poel to conclude a stellar rise to the top of the cycling world.

He had since stabilized but in 2024 he had the absolute best possible summer he could've hoped for, winning three stages and the points classification at the Tour de France, where hundreds of passionate fans followed him everyday throughout the race and always made their presence felt through partying and celebrating. He also broke previously unreached milestones for black African athletes in the sport, encouraging and showcasing the sport's ever-evolving diversity and internationalization. He signed a millionaire contract with Intermarché - Wanty until the end of 2028 as the team put all their chips in the Eritrean, who also led the team at the 2025 Tour - albeit with less success. However despite his ongoing contract, he is likely to leave this winter.

This is because his team his set to merge with Lotto and the latter's UCI license is likely to be used, leaving the contracts of the current Intermarché team in a grey area - although a presence in the World Tour is virtually guaranteed. Over the past few weeks there have been strong rumours that Girmay would be moving away and suggestions that UAE Team Emirates - XRG could be the destination.

It could be, and with Juan Ayuso's departure for Lidl-Trek also seemingly more likely, it could almost be a direct swap between two riders with similar value and contract situation for the Emirati team. As mentioned by one of Girmay's teammates, there had already been an agreement with a top team in the world of cycling, only that hadn't been made public yet.

This Saturday, Girmay's agent Alex Carera - who manages other stars such as Tadej Pogacar, Jasper Philipsen, Isaac del Toro and more - posted on Facebook a picture with Girmay in Leuven with the caption "after today, his future is more clear". This suggests an agreement was found, although of course he did not specify whether it was with his current team or a different one.