History-maker Girmay signs for Iniesta’s new team

Biniam Girmay, a legendary African cyclist, has become a member of NSN Cycling, which is owned by Andres Iniesta, the previous team’s owner.

Girmay won the Tour de France’s coveted green jersey in 2024, becoming the first black African to do so.

Iniesta co-owns the sports and entertainment company Never Say Never, who won the soccer team’s 2010 World Cup victory in the same year.

Girmay, who won the Giro d’Italia and the cobbled classic Gent-Wevelgem in 2022, joins NSN Cycling on a three-year deal after leaving the Belgian Intermarche-Wanty Gobert team.

The 25-year-old said, “I’m really happy to be here, especially with a new atmosphere and a new beginning, for me and the team.”

One of the most gifted riders in the pro-peloton, Girmay excels in challenging conditions like one-day races or single-stage Grand Tours, where he can exert immense power through the pedals.

Ethan Vernon and Jake Stewart are already known for their sprinting abilities, and he joins a team that already has them.

The sprint train of the team was always very strong, Girmay said.

Girmay is Israel-Premier Tech, making his debut on a team with a rich history.

Since 2014, the team, which has been owned by Canadian-Israeli billionaire Sylvan Adams, had been under fire from pro-Palestinian protesters, sponsors, and riders for the Israel-Gaza war.

In response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the hostage of 251, the Israeli military launched an offensive against Gaza.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, there are currently 70 and 100 Palestinian deaths.

Adams, who is currently the self-declared ambassador to Israel, has close ties to the Israeli government and travels with government officials during US President Donald Trump’s first term in office.

The three-week race was canceled due to chaotic scenes, including some riders being pushed off their bikes by protesters, and the protests continued throughout the entire duration of the event.

Derek Gee, one of the team’s best riders, left the team after saying that riding for them “weighed heavily on his conscience” and that he had filed a lawsuit against him for 30 million euros over his contract.

The team has never provided any additional information about the dispute other than that it is involving the UCI’s arbitration board, the world’s governing body.

Despite the change in team ownership, BBC Sport is aware that the arbitration process is still ongoing.

Before Iniesta’s company, which he owns with Joel Borras, took complete financial control of the team and granted it a “Spanish structure,” Premier Tech, along with bike supplier Factor, eventually withdrew its support.

One of Girmay’s appeals will likely have been related to the potential double of his salary, which was reportedly paid more than a million euros annually at his former team, making him one of the highest-paid cyclists.

Another is the team’s ongoing involvement in local initiatives like the construction of a cycling track in Rwanda.

He states, “Riking is our culture in Eritrea; it’s in our blood.” And I want to improve African cycling as an African rider. As Israel Premier Tech, this team has already accomplished incredible things.