Biniam Girmay enters the Tour de France 2026 as a renewed contender for the green jersey, switching to NSN Cycling after securing backing from Swiss investment firm Stonegew and former Barcelona star Iniesta's Never Say Never company. The Eritrean sprinter, who finished third in last year's points classification, has already claimed three UCI victories and the overall green jersey at Volta Comunitat Valenciana this season.

NSN Cycling operates on a significantly larger budget than his previous Intermarche-Wanty team, providing enhanced resources for the 26-year-old's quest. Girmay acknowledges improved preparation compared to previous years, with team cohesion now at a higher level. His training and form suggest he may finally bridge the gap to sprint leaders like Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier, who dominated previous Tour campaigns.

The fifth stage from Lannemezan into Pau presents the first realistic opportunity for Girmay to showcase his sprinting abilities, though a challenging third stage featuring a 1.7km climb at 7% gradient could also favor him as the strongest climber among sprinters. Meanwhile, Milkias Maekele, a 20-year-old Eritrean talent who recently won the national road championships, represents the next wave of African cycling success that Girmay believes will reach cycling's pinnacle.

As the sole African rider in this year's Tour, Girmay carries his nation's hopes while preparing for what could be a defining campaign in his quest to reclaim the green jersey.