Jake Stewart will be the last rider in the Girmay sprint train as NSN Cycling targets Tour de France stage wins.

The British rider expects to play a central role when the race starts from Barcelona, the team’s new “home”. NSN built its Tour project around Biniam Girmay after signing the Eritrean over the winter.

That move gave the team a clear sporting target. NSN wants a Tour stage victory and could later consider a green jersey challenge. Stewart said the first objective remains simple: win with Girmay in the sprint stages.

Speaking before his third Tour de France, Stewart described that aim as a major goal. He added that many teams arrive at the Tour with the same ambition. NSN would only shift toward green if Girmay reaches Paris contention.

Girmay sprint train leads NSN’s new direction

Girmay’s arrival marks a major change for NSN Cycling. The team also changed branding and sponsorship during the winter.

That transition followed mass protests at the 2025 Vuelta a España against the team’s links to Israel. At that time, the squad raced as Israel-Premier Tech and was bankrolled by billionaire Sylvan Adams.

The sporting model changed as well. Girmay replaced GC rider Derek Gee-West as the team’s main figure. The now Swiss-registered squad has moved toward Classics racing, sprints, and stage-hunting.

That shift followed the departures of Gee-West and Matthew Riccitello. Both riders had fitted a more general classification-focused structure.

Stewart said the change has helped clarify the team’s work. He explained that modern teams often struggle to target every objective at once.

In his view, squads increasingly choose between GC, Classics, or sprint ambitions. Few teams now go to Grand Tours chasing the overall classification and sprint stages together.

For NSN, the new plan reduces the pressure attached to the general classification. It also allows riders to focus on selected stages that suit their strengths.

Stewart settles into final lead-out role

Stewart began the year racing in support of fellow Brit Ethan Vernon. He then joined Girmay at the Baloise Belgium Tour.

The partnership produced an immediate result. Stewart helped guide Girmay to victory on the opening stage.

Stewart said the pair have connected well in race situations. He also noted that Girmay understands his preferred sprint execution.

The 27-year-old started his professional career at Groupama-FDJ while chasing his own chances. Since then, he has moved increasingly toward lead-out duties.

Stewart has also acknowledged the mental challenge of sprinting for himself. He has started working with a sports psychologist as part of that process.

Now entering his prime racing years, Stewart wants to become known for delivering sprinters into winning positions. He said his biggest ambition is to become “one of the best last men in the world”.

That role demands timing, positioning, and calm under heavy pressure. Stewart believes his characteristics suit the final lead-out more than contesting the biggest bunch sprints himself.

The Tour de France will offer the largest platform for that work. Stewart called it the “biggest stage” to prove and execute his role.

If Girmay leaves the race with one or two stage wins, Stewart will see that as a successful Tour. For NSN, the same outcome would validate its winter rebuild around sprinting.

The Girmay sprint train now gives the team a clear identity. Stewart’s job will be to deliver its headline signing into position when the Tour’s sprint days arrive.

For additional reporting, see www.cyclingweekly.com.