Biniam Girmay enters the 2026 Tour de France with a confirmed support squad from NSN, aiming to replicate the historic success that saw him become the first Black African rider to win a stage of the race in 2024. The Eritrean sprinter, who secured the green jersey in his breakthrough 2024 campaign, has finalized his preparations alongside a team built specifically to facilitate his sprint objectives and navigate the three-week grand tour.
The NSN roster includes Jake Stewart, Lewis Askey, Tom Van Asbroeck, and Matis Louvel, all tasked with shielding Girmay during the race’s flatter stages. According to the team’s head directeur sportif, Sam Bewley, the squad will maintain a dual focus: protecting Girmay during high-speed finishes while allowing riders like George Bennett, Krists Neilands, and debutant Marco Frigo the freedom to target stage wins in the mountains and through breakaways.
Building Momentum for the Sprint Stages
Girmay’s return to the Tour de France comes after a season that has seen him secure victories at the Vuelta Comunitat Valenciana, the Clásica de Almería, and the Baloise Belgium Tour. His 2024 performance, which included three individual stage wins and a dominant green jersey victory—finishing 33 points ahead of Jasper Philipsen—established him as a premier talent in the peloton. Despite the high expectations, Girmay has emphasized a forward-looking approach to the upcoming race.
“I’m going into this year’s race full of confidence and with a real sense of anticipation for the first sprint opportunities,” Girmay stated in a team-released briefing. He noted that the team has spent the early months of the season refining their lead-out mechanics and building interpersonal trust. The logistical challenge for the team is significant, as the 2026 route offers limited early sprint opportunities, with the race starting in Catalonia before moving into more technical terrain.
Tactical Diversity and the Role of the Support Squad
The NSN lineup is designed for versatility, a necessity for a 21-stage race. While the primary objective remains the sprints, the inclusion of climbers and breakaway specialists ensures the team remains relevant during mountain stages. George Bennett, a seasoned professional with six Tour de France starts, will serve as the primary mountain lieutenant. This marks his first appearance in the race since 2022, providing the team with much-needed experience in the high mountains.
Marco Frigo, participating in his first Tour de France, expressed excitement regarding the opportunity. “I am super happy with my level right now—I have done everything I can ahead of the race,” Frigo remarked. The 26-year-old, who gained prominence during the 2023 Giro d’Italia, is expected to be a key asset in breakaways. Meanwhile, Krists Neilands returns to the race for his fourth start, having recovered from injuries sustained earlier in the season in Belgium.
Navigating the 2026 Route
The 2026 race profile presents a unique set of challenges that will test the cohesion of the NSN lead-out train. Following the opening team time trial and the demanding stages in Catalonia, the first legitimate opportunity for pure sprinters is expected to occur on Stage 5 in Pau. Subsequent sprint chances are projected for stages in Bordeaux, Bergerac, Nevers, Chalon-sur-Saône, and Voiron.
Sam Bewley underscored the importance of this tactical flexibility. “We want to have a purpose and a goal across the entire race,” Bewley said. “It’s important to have guys like George, Krists, and Marco so we can keep NSN in the race across as much of the three weeks as possible.” This approach seeks to balance the high-pressure environment of the sprint finishes with the long-term endurance required to compete for stage honors when the road tilts upward.
Team Composition and Athlete Outlook
The final NSN selection reflects a balance of youth and experience, with British riders Jake Stewart and Lewis Askey providing the “punchy” finishing capability required for the final kilometers of sprint stages. Neither rider has secured a victory in 2026, though Askey’s second-place finish on Stage 3 of the Baloise Belgium Tour suggests he is reaching peak form at the right time. The full roster for the 2026 Tour de France is as follows:
- Biniam Girmay
- Lewis Askey
- George Bennett
- Marco Frigo
- Matis Louvel
- Krists Neilands
- Jake Stewart
- Tom Van Asbroeck
The team is currently finalizing its pre-race altitude training blocks before the grand depart. Fans and followers can look for official updates regarding the team’s status and rider health via the official race communications and team social media channels as the start date approaches. Readers are invited to share their thoughts on Girmay’s chances in the comments section below.
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