Few riders who lined up for the Tour de France this year carried greater expectations than Eritrean star Biniam Girmay.

“I know what people expect from me, and I know what I expect from myself,” says the 26-year-old. “The goal is at least one big stage victory – hopefully even more.”

Girmay joined NSN this season on a major long-term contract with one clear ambition: to once again become one of the Tour’s biggest stars.

In 2024, he stunned the sporting world by becoming the first Black African rider to win a stage of the race. He went on to claim three stage victories and secured the prestigious green jersey as the Tour’s best sprinter.

Yet what seemed like the beginning of a dominant era proved difficult to repeat. His 2025 Tour with Intermarché – Wanty fell well below expectations.

Now, six months later, Girmay forms part of a team that features one of the strongest sprint lead-out trains in the race, led by Jake Stewart, Lewis Askey, Tom Van Asbroeck, and Matîs Louvel. Every member of the eight-man squad has committed to delivering Girmay to the finish.

“That’s exactly why I decided to come here,” he says. “They promised me the best equipment in the world, especially the wheels, and they delivered. They promised me a team fully committed to helping me in the sprints, and they delivered that too.

“I felt I still had much more to give after my 2024 Tour. In my very first season with NSN, I’ve already won three races, and now I want to win at the Tour again. I have an incredible team behind me.”

Biniam sprinted to victory at the Baloise Belgium Tour last week

So how does he deal with the immense pressure? His answer is surprisingly simple.

“I believe I have the best sprint train in the world behind me,” he adds. “But more importantly, I’m not afraid to fail. I’m not afraid to crash. The only real pressure comes if you know you haven’t done everything possible.

“For me, it’s the opposite – I am happy when I lose, because without losing, you never reach the point where you can win. Every time I lose, I work even harder.”

Reflecting on last year’s disappointment, he is blunt.

Biniam says: “Last year I simply didn’t have enough. Not enough speed. Not enough support. Not enough world-class equipment. At NSN, I have everything I asked for.”

With at least five stages expected to suit the sprinters during this year’s Tour, Biniam believes he can add one – or perhaps several – more Tour victories to his record. Still, he knows the challenge will be tougher than ever.

“The competition is even stronger than it was in 2024. Riders like [Tim] Merlier, [Jasper] Philipsen, Mads [Pedersen], and [Michael] Matthews will all be there. Even Tadej [Pogačar] could become a factor if he decides to chase the green jersey.”

For Girmay, however, success isn’t measured only in victories. He knows he represents something much bigger.

“It makes me incredibly proud,” he says. “I know I’m opening the door for other African riders, and I believe many will follow.”