The Daily Ride

The image is seared into the memory of cycling fans: Biniam Girmay, resplendent in the maillot vert, crossing the line on the Champs-Élysées. His 2024 Tour de France was more than a sporting victory; it was a cultural touchstone, the moment a Black African rider not only won a stage but conquered one of the sport’s most prestigious classifications. For his Intermarché – Wanty team, it was the culmination of a half-century journey, a spectacular ascent from a humble Belgian amateur club founded in 1974 to a WorldTour powerhouse capable of shaping the narrative of the world’s biggest race. They had arrived, and in 2025, they are coming for more.

The eight-man roster selected for the 112th Tour de France is the ultimate expression of the team’s long-held philosophy: a doctrine built on “fearless,” “attacking,” and “opportunistic” racing. This is not merely a collection of individuals but a meticulously crafted tactical unit with two clear, interwoven ambitions: defending Girmay’s Green Jersey and relentlessly hunting for stage wins across every conceivable terrain. New signings like Jonas Rutsch were explicitly drawn to this aggressive style, a testament to a team culture that permeates every decision. To understand the squad heading to Lille for the Grand Départ, one must first understand the DNA of Intermarché – Wanty – a team forged in the fires of underdog battles, now ready to lead the charge.

Lineup

1. Biniam Girmay: From Asmara to Glory: An Eritrean Superstar’s Quest for the Green Jersey

Credit: Biniam Girmay @Lëa-Kim Châteauneuf Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

At the heart of the team’s ambitions stands one of the most compelling figures in the modern peloton. Biniam Girmay is not just a rider; he is a phenomenon. His journey from Eritrea to the pinnacle of the sport has been groundbreaking, marked by historic victories like his 2022 Gent-Wevelgem triumph and his stage win at the Giro d’Italia, the first by a Black African in a Grand Tour. At just 25 years old, he carries the hopes of a continent on his shoulders, a quiet, composed leader who has become one of the brightest stars in cycling.

On paper, Girmay’s 2025 season has been one of frustratingly close calls. A string of podium finishes—including second at Classique Dunkerque, second at Rund um Köln, and multiple stage second places—has left him without a victory to his name. To the casual observer, this might suggest a dip in form. However, this narrative is a potential misinterpretation of a highly calculated, proven strategy.

A look back at his 2024 campaign reveals a similar pattern of “floating around for victories” before he arrived at the Tour in peak condition. The key to understanding this lies in the lessons learned from a difficult 2023 season. Following a heavy crash at the Tour of Flanders and a challenging Tour de France debut, the team’s performance staff conducted a thorough review. They identified Girmay’s uniquely elite recovery ability—better than anyone else on the team. Realizing they were not maximizing this physiological gift, they made a crucial adjustment: they implemented a harder, more structured training program designed to push him to his limits, confident in his capacity to absorb the load and rebound stronger. As team performance manager Aike Visbeek explained, “we learned that we were not maximising that strength and we weren’t training him hard enough”.

Therefore, the 2025 season is not a slump; it is the deliberate execution of a tailored plan. The team is leveraging Girmay’s unique physiology to build him towards an absolute peak in July. This approach contrasts sharply with that of other sprinters who may target wins throughout the year. For the Tour de France, this makes Girmay arguably more dangerous, not less. He arrives rested, meticulously prepared, and with a hunger sharpened by a season of near misses.

Girmay’s path to a second maillot vert is anything but certain. The 2025 Tour features one of the most formidable collections of sprinters in recent memory. His primary rivals represent the absolute elite of fast men. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin – Deceuninck), the 2023 Green Jersey winner, is a proven force with a powerful lead-out. Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) has been the season’s most prolific winner, racking up victories with astonishing consistency. And Jonathan Milan (Lidl – Trek), a two-time points classification winner at the Giro d’Italia, brings immense power and a dedicated team. The field is so deep that even all-round superstars like Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogačar could disrupt the points classification with their versatility.

Against this backdrop, Girmay’s greatest advantage is his own versatility. He is not a pure, flat-track sprinter. His background as a Classics contender means he can not only survive but thrive on stages that are too tough for his bulkier rivals. The 2025 route offers several such opportunities, particularly in the opening week. The hilly finish into Boulogne-sur-Mer on Stage 2 and the iconic punch of the Mûr-de-Bretagne on Stage 7 are tailor-made for Girmay to collect valuable points while others are dropped. It is this ability to fight for victory on varied terrain that makes him a true three-week contender for the Green Jersey, a weapon his rivals will struggle to counter.

2. Roel van Sintmaartensdijk: The Engine

Credit: Roel van Sintmaartensdijk @Cs-wolves Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Standing at an impressive 1.97m (6’5″), the young Dutchman Roel van Sintmaartensdijk is accurately described as a formidable “draught horse” and the powerhouse of the sprint unit. His primary role on flat stages is indeed to act as the locomotive at the front of the peloton. This involves spending long hours in the wind to control the pace, chase down breakaways, and ensure the race culminates in a sprint finish, thereby setting the stage for his team’s sprinter, Biniam Girmay. This selfless, high-power output is crucial for maximizing Girmay’s chances of victory. While the lead-out rating of 87/100 is a qualitative assessment rather than an official statistic, it effectively illustrates his immense power and value in this demanding role, highlighting his status as a top-tier specialist in pulling the peloton.

3. Vito Braet: The Link-Man

Credit: Vito Braet @(User:Løken) Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Vito Braet, a versatile Belgian rider, serves as the vital connection between the powerful workhorses and the high-speed final lead-out men. His capabilities are well-rounded, possessing the necessary punch to handle hilly sections of a race and the speed to maintain optimal positioning for the team within the frantic final 5 kilometers. This is supported by his strong performances in both challenging terrain and sprint finishes. His class was notably demonstrated at the 2024 Figueira Champions Classic, where he secured an impressive second-place finish. He was beaten only by the superstar Remco Evenepoel, a result that showcased both his fast finish and tactical intelligence. As a key new addition to the team’s sprint machine for 2025, his conceptual lead-out score of 86/100 underlines his elite proficiency in this role.

4. Laurenz Rex: The Penultimate Powerhouse

Credit: Laurenz Rex @Renhour48 Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication

As the penultimate man in the sprint train, Laurenz Rex is a true powerhouse, hardened by the rigors of the toughest one-day races, the Classics. The provided text mentions top-10 finishes in the 2025 season; however, looking at his verified results from the most recent completed season (2024), he did not secure top-10 finishes at Paris-Roubaix or Gent-Wevelgem. He finished a respectable 16th at Gent-Wevelgem and 22nd at Paris-Roubaix (where his teammate Madis Mihkels was 10th). Despite this inaccuracy in the original text, his aggressive performances in these grueling races demonstrate that he possesses the raw strength and grit required to pilot Girmay through chaotic and physically demanding finales. The world-class lead-out score of 93/100 should be viewed as a testament to his recognized ability to navigate the peloton’s maelstrom and deliver his sprinter in a prime position, placing him among the best pilots in the sport.

5. Hugo Page: Girmay’s Explosive Key

Credit: Hugo Page @Kakoula10 Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

The final rider before Biniam Girmay launches his sprint is Hugo Page, a young and explosive talent from France. He is a capable sprinter in his own right, a crucial quality for a final lead-out man who needs to accelerate deep into the finish. His history of strong results in bunch kicks, including a second-place finish at the 2023 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and a third-place finish on a stage of the 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné, substantiates this. His role is to use this explosive speed to deliver Girmay onto the wheel of a rival or into clear air at the perfect moment, typically inside the final 200 meters. The elite 90/100 lead-out score is a strong indicator of his recognized expertise and precision in this high-pressure and critical position.

6. Georg Zimmermann: Countless breakaway groups until the desired victory?

Credit: Georg Zimmermann @Hoebele Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Georg Zimmermann is the team’s designated man for the high mountains. The German climber comes into the Tour with soaring confidence after securing the overall victory at the 2025 Giro d’Abruzzo, a performance that demonstrated both his climbing legs and his tactical acumen. He is a specialist at infiltrating the right moves on the toughest days, a fact underscored by his near-miss second place on a Tour stage in a previous edition. He will have his sights firmly set on the Pyrenean and Alpine stages, such as the summit finishes at Hautacam (Stage 12), Luchon-Superbagnères (Stage 14), Mont Ventoux (Stage 16), and the monstrous Col de la Loze (Stage 18).

7. Louis Barré: Intermache’s new wildcard

Credit: Louis Barré @Hoebele Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

The revelation of the 2025 spring campaign, Louis Barré has made a stunning leap to become one of the peloton’s most exciting Classics talents. His sixth place at the Amstel Gold Race and third at Paris-Camembert are testament to his explosive power on the short, steep climbs that define the Ardennes. The team has shown immense faith in the 25-year-old Frenchman, granting him a protected stage-hunting role in his debut Tour—a trust he is eager to repay. He is perfectly suited for the hilly, unpredictable stages where a powerful attack can succeed, such as the finishes in Boulogne-sur-Mer (Stage 2), Rouen (Stage 4), and Mûr-de-Bretagne (Stage 7).

8. Jonas Rutsch: The German powerhouse with infinite willpower

Credit: Jonas Rutsch @Renhour48 Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication

A German powerhouse with a massive engine. Standing at an imposing 1.96m (6’5″), Jonas Rutsch is built for long, punishing days in the wind. His phenomenal sixth-place finish at the 2025 Paris-Roubaix, a race he adores, is a clear indicator of his world-class power and resilience. While he will play a key role in the “Classics Phalanx” on flat days, he will be let off the leash on rolling, transitional stages. He is the team’s prime candidate for a long-range solo attack or for driving a small, powerful breakaway to the finish line.

The Arsenal: The Tech Behind the Tactics

A team’s ambitions are only as good as the equipment that underpins them. For Intermarché – Wanty, technology is a key part of their performance strategy. The riders will be aboard German-engineered Cube bikes, choosing between the aerodynamic Cube Litening Aero C:68X for flat and fast stages, and the lightweight Litening Air C:68X for the high mountains. This arsenal is completed with Shimano’s flagship Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets and Newman Advanced SL wheels.  

However, the most intriguing technological development is a potential race-winning advantage in their tyres. For 2025, the team has entered a deep technical partnership with French manufacturer Hutchinson, born from an explicit search for a “technological edge”. The collaboration goes beyond simple sponsorship; it is a joint research and development project focused on creating a next-generation race tyre. This prototype, nicknamed the “MotoGP tyre” by the riders, is being co-developed to address what the team identified as the “Achilles’ heel” of modern tubeless systems: grip in wet and challenging conditions.

The focus on “exceptional grip” provides a tangible, race-critical advantage. Superior traction allows for later braking into corners, more speed carried through technical finales, and more confident descending for breakaway riders. In a sport decided by fractions of a second, a tyre that provides a greater margin for error and a higher performance ceiling on wet roads could be the difference-maker. This pursuit of a grip advantage could prove decisive in Girmay’s chaotic sprints and in the daring descents of the team’s stage hunters, elevating this partnership from a simple equipment choice to a genuine tactical weapon.

Final Analyses and Predicition

Intermarché-Wanty arrives at the 2025 Tour de France with a clear and singular focus: stage victories. By leaving their primary GC climber at home, the team has assembled a dynamic and aggressive squad built entirely for opportunistic racing, making them a dangerous wildcard on nearly any day of the race.

Strengths:

• Pure Focus on Girmay: With no GC ambitions, the team can dedicate significant resources to Biniam Girmay. He is their undisputed leader and one of the world’s best. His proven ability to win sprints after hard, hilly stages makes him a prime contender for multiple victories and a serious threat for the Green Jersey.
• A Formidable Breakaway Engine: This roster is packed with riders perfectly suited for long-distance escapes. Georg Zimmermann has come close to a Tour stage win multiple times and has the climbing ability to succeed. Laurenz Rex and Jonas Rutsch are powerful rouleurs who can thrive on transitional stages, while newcomers like Louis Barré and Vito Braet will be eager to make a name for themselves by infiltrating breakaways.
• Unified Strategy: The absence of a GC rider eliminates any internal conflict for resources or objectives. Every rider on the team has one of two jobs: support Biniam Girmay for a sprint finish or get into a breakaway and fight for the stage win. This clarity of purpose can be a significant advantage.

Weaknesses/Challenges:

• No GC Presence: This is a deliberate choice, not a weakness in the traditional sense, but it means the team will be entirely absent from the overall classification battle. They will have no voice in the high mountains when the race for the yellow jersey ignites.
• The Green Jersey Dilemma: The team’s biggest strategic challenge will be balancing the ambition of winning the Green Jersey with Girmay against giving their powerful breakaway riders the freedom to chase their own success. Committing to Green requires near-total dedication, potentially neutralizing their other major strength.
• Predictability: While their strategy is unified, it is also transparent. Other teams know that Intermarché-Wanty will either be trying to get in the breakaway or setting up a sprint for Girmay. This can make it harder for their riders to surprise the peloton.

Prediction:

Yellow Jersey: No contender. The team has no rider for the general classification. Their goals lie elsewhere, and their highest-placed rider will likely be irrelevant in the final standings.

Green Jersey: A primary objective and a very strong possibility. Girmay has the ideal profile to win the points classification. With a dedicated support crew including Hugo Page and Roel van Sintmaartensdijk for the lead-outs, he will be a favorite for the maillot vert, challenging the pure sprinters.

Stage Wins: Highly likely. This is the team’s raison d’être. Girmay is a strong candidate to win 1-2 stages. The sheer number of breakaway specialists like Zimmermann, Rex, and Rutsch makes it probable they will convert at least one of their many attempts into a victory. A prediction of 2-3 stage wins is the benchmark for success.

The 2025 Tour de France for Intermarché-Wanty will be an all-or-nothing hunt for daily glory. Success will not be measured by the final timesheets in Nice, but purely by the number of victory salutes and a potential Green Jersey on the podium.