Biniam Girmay, the 24-year-old Eritrean cycling sensation, is poised to make history. As the Tour de France kicks off in Florence, Girmay aims to become the first Black African to win a stage in the world’s most prestigious cycling race.
Trailblazing Cyclist: From Giro d’Italia to Tour de France
Girmay already holds the distinction of being the first Black African to win a grand tour stage. He achieved this feat in the 2022 Giro d’Italia with a spectacular bunch sprint victory.
Now, the young cyclist sets his sights on the Tour de France. His goal is clear: to replicate his Giro success on cycling’s biggest stage.
Learning from Experience: Overcoming Tour de France Challenges
Girmay’s first Tour de France appearance in 2023 was eye-opening. He candidly admitted to Reuters, “Last year I was really nervous before the start. I panicked from start to end of the Tour.”
The Eritrean cyclist found the Tour’s intensity surpassed all other races. However, this experience has prepared him for his second attempt.
Tour de France Intensity: A Different Beast
Girmay highlighted the unique challenges of the Tour de France. “It’s a different atmosphere than other races, even Monument (classics) or the Giro,” he explained.
The sprinting dynamics particularly surprised him. Girmay noted, “On the Giro, the peloton starts to gear up for the sprint 10km from the finish. On the Tour, it starts 55, 60 km from the line.”
Ambitious Goals: Aiming for Tour de France Glory
Despite the pressure, Girmay approaches his second Tour with renewed confidence. “I will be more relaxed,” he stated, setting clear objectives for himself and his Intermarche-Wanty team.
“The target is just to win a stage,” Girmay declared. He acknowledged the impact of his previous grand tour victory, adding, “I think second is not enough anymore.”
Beyond the Tour: Olympic Aspirations
Girmay’s ambitions extend beyond the Tour de France. He plans to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics road race on August 3.
This combination of Tour de France and Olympic participation will mark what Girmay calls “the biggest month of my career.”
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