Loyal teammate Dion Smith, the first New Zealander to wear a distinctive jersey on the Tour de France, has extended his contract with Intermarché-Wanty for two additional seasons, until the end of 2026.
In 2023, Dion Smith returned to Jean-François Bourlart’s team after a first stint between 2017 and 2018. He made history for his country by wearing the polka dot jersey on the Tour for three days, a first for a New Zealand cyclist.
Since then, he has placed his qualities as a fast rider at ease on hilly courses at the service of his leaders, notably Biniam Girmay, whom he accompanied on his first Tour de France in 2023. He also distinguished himself with a podium sprint on the last Tour de Romandie this season, before completing his first Giro d’Italia.
Dion Smith’s palmares includes a prestigious runner-up spot at Milan-San Remo, where he finished sixth in his first participation in the summer of 2020, a few days before his first professional victory in the classic Coppa Sabatini, followed by a podium finish at the Vuelta a España.
Dion Smith: “Since returning to Intermarché-Wanty, I’ve felt right at home. I feel that my work is appreciated, I enjoy dedicating myself to my teammates, riding as a team and experiencing unforgettable moments with the staff. I’m always willing to help our leaders in many different races. My versatile profile allows me to help our sprinters on the flat, and I’m also able to get over the climbs and be useful to our climbers on difficult courses. I’ve had the chance to evolve in multiple races on the WorldTour calendar, including my first experience on the Giro. Since my first stint in 2017, I’ve noticed the great progress made by the team and it’s an honor to be a part of it. We are the underdogs who upset the odds and that’s what motivates everyone, it’s what allows us to surpass ourselves and achieve historic results like at the Tour de France 2024.”
Aike Visbeek (Performance Manager): “Dion Smith is a very important part of our WorldTeam. He is an experienced rider in the WorldTour peloton and a central element of the core built around Biniam Girmay. Thanks to his versatile profile, Dion can be useful on many terrains, and he plays a crucial role in positioning and supporting Biniam Girmay in the classics and approaching the sprints. At the beginning of the 2024 season, he was slowed down by ilness and injury, but he showed a lot of character and made a strong comeback, as evidenced by his podium at the Tour de Romandie. We are happy to be able to count on his services for the next two years.”
