Results Volta a Comunitat Valenciana 2026 | Perfect start for Biniam Girmay in his new team as he wins opening sprint

Biniam Girmay did not take a single victory throughout the 2025 season, but after changing teams and joining NSN Cycling Team, he immediately achieved success by taking the win on stage 1 of the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana.

The stage began with a breakaway of four riders in what was the day that best suited the sprinters. Danny van der Tuuk, Diego Pablo Sevilla, Mats Wenzel and Adam Lewis formed a front quartet that would survive until the moment where the race exploded.

Lidl-Trek and NSN controlled the peloton, however this was then virtually nullified as on the section of two small climbs inside the last 40 kilometers the pace increased significantly and there were attacks on the climbs, as well as a very fast pace on the descents which split the peloton to several groups. Despite there being around 20 riders in the front group, including van der Tuuk and Sevilla who were caught right after the climb; João Almeida was not present. Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe put a rider working in the group, but with the lack of cooperation from other teams, there was a stalemate.

Giulio Pellizzari then attacked with 18 kilometers to go as there was no cooperation. Behind a few riders counter-attacked but surprisingly failed to bridge across to him despite being on flat roads. Eventually all were caught, as was the Evenepoel group, by two other large groups that came from behind and included many of the sprinters who were initially expected to fight for the stage win.

The Italian was caught inside the final kilometers and Uno-X led out the sprint. Ben Turner launched his sprint first, but too early. From his wheel it was Biniam Girmay who then jumped to the front, and although it was narrow, it was a victory for the Eritrean who made the perfect debut for NSN Cycling Team. He beat Arne Marit and Giovanni Lonardi to the line.