"Now it is time for a new chapter" - Biniam Girmay finally makes Intermarché - Wanty departure public

It has been an open secret for months now, and only on the 28th of November did Intermarché - Wanty and Biniam Girmay confirm their mutual separation. The contract between the Eritrean star and the Belgian team lasted until 2028 but the team's merger with Lotto opened space for a change. Now, Girmay can finally be announced as an NSN Cycling Team rider.

“It has been a wonderful journey for me with Intermarché-Wanty. I am still grateful for the belief they showed in me five years ago and for giving me the chance to become a World Tour rider," the Eritrean said in a recent statement. This was an incredibly beneficial move, in 2021, for both sides. Few teams wanted to take the bet on Girmay at the time, who despite being incredibly talented, came from a nation with very little history in the sport, and until very recently he continued to have very strict visa restrictions to Europe which could come in the way of his work and training schedules. However Intermarché moved past those obstacles and turned Girmay from a diamond in the rough to an absolute gem.

In 2022 he won Gent-Wevelgem and changed what many believed to be possible, becoming the first Black African rider to succeed in such way in the Belgian spring classics. His success would only be enhanced shortly after with a victory at the Giro d'Italia, beating Mathieu van der Poel directly. "Over these years, we built a strong bond based on mutual trust and grew together, step by step, from a lower profile to the top level of world cycling. Along the way, we worked hard and pushed each other to keep improving. We achieved great things and showed what is possible when everyone is aligned.

In 2024 this was taken to an entire new level as he won three stages and the points classification at the Tour de France, an historic feature for the continent and Eritrea in many aspects, but something that consolidated him as one of the world's very best. His popularity was also immeasurable at the time. "I truly enjoyed working with this team — the riders, the staff, and the management — everyone contributed something important. At times, we have to embrace change. Now it is time for a new chapter, I want to thank everyone at Intermarché-Wanty for the past five seasons."

But with the two teams merging, Girmay looked to move away from Intermarché now, despite being its sole leader and big bet. On the 1st of September Girmay's agent Alex Carera confirmed a decision had been made. This is NSN Cycling Team, at the time still Israel - Premier Tech, in the middle of the Vuelta a España which led to the team's change. But NSN was only recently announced as the team's new identity, whilst Lotto-Intermarché battled to keep Girmay onboard. Now, all the pieces of the puzzle are in place for a public announcement with the Swiss team.

Intermarché CEO Jean-François Bourlart shared his thoughts on the mov: "I look back on many happy and memorable moments with Biniam. We are proud of the journey we shared, where we helped transform this immense talent into a key figure in world cycling. Naturally, some moments will remain forever etched in memory, such as his medal at the U23 World Championships in Leuven, his victories at Gent-Wevelgem and the Giro d’Italia".

The supermarket chain is certain to continue being attached to the sport through the new merger team, however it will only take on a minor role as the team's license, much of the staff and riders belong to the existing Lotto team.

"The win at the Circuit Franco-Belge, in front of our partners and just a stone’s throw from our Service Course, was also a highlight. And then that victory in Turin, our first on the Tour de France, and the green jersey in Nice – these are moments forever marked in our history. Yekenyeley, Biniam!"