"I think it’s a good move for both parties": Bruyneel and Martin analyse Girmay’s transfer to NSN

Biniam Girmay has recently switched teams, and he will ride for NSN Cycling Team (formerly Israel - Premier Tech) starting in 2026. The Eritrean sprinter is looking to revitalize his career after a winless and disappointing season, aiming to regain his top form with his new squad.

In another episode of the Move podcast, hosts Johan Bruyneel and Spencer Martin analysed Girmay's high-profile transfer.

Bruyneel suggested the agreement was essentially completed before the team’s rebrand. “I think the agreement was probably already almost done when the team was still named Israel - Premier Tech. Then I guess it got on standby a bit because of everything that happened and also because Intermarché apparently tried to make things difficult for Girmay. Basically, you know, they wanted to hold him to his contract with Intermarché"

According to Bruyneel, the outcome had nevertheless been expected for some time, as rumours linking Girmay to the team had been going around for quite some time. “I think it was clear already from a few months ago that Biniam Girmay would go there… I think it's a pretty good name for that team."

"However, it's fair to say that Biniam Girmay didn't have the greatest season in 2025 after his amazing 2024 season with three stage wins in the Tour and the green jersey. But it's a personality, right, and so he's very recognised… I think it's a good move for both parties.”

Martin argued that the Eritrean’s contract made the decision inevitable. “Intermarché was closing shop essentially, so he's going to have to go to a new team anyway. Might as well go to the team that's going to pay you more than two million euros a year. I actually like the move for both parties. It gives NSN a much-needed identity right off the bat.”

However, Girmay remained winless in 2025, something that raises some questions according to the American analyst. “He didn't win a race in 2025. That's not great for a rider that you're going to pay that much money to. It is still a great deal for him.”

Bruyneel emphasised that the deal made total sense for him, at least from the rider's perspective. “I think it's a great deal for him. If you're able to strike such a contract - a very lucrative contract - after a season that was far from good, I think that's great. If he would have stayed at Lotto or the new team Lotto-Intermarché, they don't have the means to get anywhere close to that kind of money… especially because they already have Arnaud de Lie, who's on a big contract.”

Bruyneel acknowledged uncertainty but expressed confidence in the 25-year-old’s potential, arguing he can still come back to the 2024 shape. “Concerns? Yeah, I mean he's young so I don't know exactly why he underperformed this year. Did he underperform this year? Did he overperform last year? We don't know. He is definitely a talented rider and I can see him bounce back. Actually I can see him win races.”

However, he also warned of the sport’s increasing intensity. “Although, you know, in cycling nowadays everything goes at such a fast pace that once you're out of it you better don't stay out of it for too long, because there's new people coming all the time. And before you know it you're one and a half, two percent worse than you were before and you're not competitive anymore,” he concluded.