Biniam Girmay rumoured to be heading to Israel - Premier Tech

All throughout the Vuelta a Espana so far, the talk has been about whether the Israel – Premier Tech team is moral. The team has been subject to many protests, with many riders and fans questioning their involvement. But now there is some other news involving the team, if we are to believe reports coming out of France this morning. French newspaper, Le Soir, is claiming the Sylvan Adam’s Israel – Premier Tech team will be adding Biniam Girmay to their ranks in either 2026 or 2027. The year depends on the merger plans between Girmay’s current team Intermarché – Wanty, and Lotto.

In 2024, Girmay won 3 stages at the tour de France and the green jersey, becoming the first African to win any jersey at the Tour. At the same Tour, he became the first black African rider to win a Tour de France stage. The 25 year old has been unable to replicate the success in 2025, and saw his green jersey taken away by Jonathan Milan in July. But, Girmay is also strong in the classics, having finished in the top 10 at Gent – Wevelgem, Hamburg Cyclassics and the Bretagne Classic in 2025.

The current status of the merger is not yet decided. Both teams would benefit from the merger, considering a boost to the budget. It was also reported that Girmay and Arnaud de Lie were open to the merger, as a means to take the pressure off them as sole leader of their respective teams.

Girmay is a trailblazer in cycling, and is still one of the fastest men in the bunch. But at the 2022 Giro d’Italia, he became the first black African cyclist to win a Grand Tour stage, after defeating Mathieu van der Poel in a sprint. He would be a seriously impressive signing for Sylvan Adam’s team.