After success in the season opener in Australia, NSN Cycling Team wrapped up the opening race of the European calendar at Volta Comunitat Valenciana with a string of impressive results including Biniam Girmay’s stage win on day one, a narrow miss on stage 3, three stages spent in the leader’s yellow jersey, and winner of the points classification.
On the General Classification front, Riley Sheehan made the most of a free card and climbed to ninth on yesterday’s queen stage which saw the young American move into ninth on GC, which he was able to successfully defend on today’s tough short final stage.
“A lot happened in the last 15 kilometers today,” explained Sheehan. “I started with a flat tire just after the crosswinds section and got a great bike change and Tom came and saved my butt once. And then the crosswinds split the group again and this time, Pau and Lewis saved my butt a second time. We were able to latch back on the front group, which was severely reduced, and managed to cross the line safety. We wanted more, maybe a sprint with Bini at the end, but to hold my position in the top-10 on GC was phenomenal. I didn’t think I would be here today and I’m super happy with this result.”
For Biniam, success in his race debut with NSN wasn’t just about winning with the Eritrean praising his teammates and the way they raced for him across the five stages.
“Overall, I’m super happy with the team effort and how we raced and communicated together, and how we delivered these results. It was the first race for me, first race for Lewis Askey, and it was super nice. I didn’t expect such a nice group atmosphere. The guys are super strong, mentally and physically, so that makes me even happier than my result. I’m really excited for 2026 with NSN Cycling Team.”
Biniam wasn’t the only NSN rider to grace the podium in Valencia, instead joined by Pau Martí who was the best Valencian at the race in what was a fitting way to end his first race with the WorldTeam on home soil.