Biniam Girmay has begun 2026 in style. The sprinter took the first stage and the points jersey at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Spanish outlet Marca<\/a>, he spoke about his new team\u2013NSN Cycling, as well as his ambitions for the year ahead.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s amazing to start this way with the new team,\u201d Girmay said. \u201cThe first race gives us confidence to continue in this way for the rest of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n Girmay has quickly established himself as one of pro cycling\u2019s big names At only 25 he already has 17 dubs to his name.<\/p>\n 2025 was a roller coaster season<\/p>\n The 2025 season, however, was a challenging one for the Eritrean, he said.<\/p>\n Last year, he rode for Intermarch\u00e9\u2013Wanty before making the move to the rebranded Israel \u2013 Premier Tech.<\/p>\n Biniam Girmay sports the new NSN gear<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n He said the previous season was a year of \u201cups and downs\u201d after a breakthrough 2024 that saw him win three stages of the Tour de France.<\/p>\n \u201cThis season there is a lot of pressure both on the team and on me,\u201d he noted, \u201cbut I have learned from everything that happened last season. This year, I\u2019m just concentrating on finding a winning mindset.\u201d<\/p>\n Girmay said he likes his new team and the mix of riders. \u201cHere we are a more global and international team, with many nationalities; I like this atmosphere. It\u2019s very organized, and we have great companions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Israel-Premier Tech<\/p>\n When asked about the team leaving behind its previous Israeli identity, he was blunt. \u201cI don\u2019t care. The only thing I\u2019m interested in is the people in the team and the family atmosphere we have. We\u2019re here to ride bikes, not to be politicians.\u201d<\/p>\n The team formerly known as IPT had a tumultuous 2025, full of protests directed toward the State of Israel due to the conflict in Gaza. Although the now WorldTeam was not receiving funding from Israel, its co-owner Sylvan Adams branded himself as an ambassador of the team. Plus, the name Israel and a stylized Star of David appeared on the kit.<\/p>\n Premier Tech ends sponsorship of Israel \u2013 Premier Tech<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n After protests reached a peak at La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, the team removed the word Israel, and referred to itself as IPT. That didn\u2019t stop Premier Tech from dropping out as a title sponsor, along with similar sentiments from its former bike sponsor, Factor. In late 2025, the team announced it would be registered in Switzerland, and known as NSN<\/a>. National champion Derek Gee-West also left the team, after a protracted contract saga that began back in August. In 2025, there were 7 Canadians on the ProTeam, now only two remain.<\/p>\n On 2026<\/p>\n Looking ahead, Girmay\u2019s season is all about the Tour de France and the Classics.<\/p>\n