Biniam Girmay wrote history in Gent-Wevelgem: ‘I never expected this’

Biniam Girmay wrote history in Gent-Wevelgem: ‘I never expected this before’

Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 17:09

Biniam Girmay decided only on Friday evening that he would ride Gent-Wevelgem, and two days later he became the first African cyclist to win the Spring Classic. The best talent from Eritrea, who competed for the Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert, beat out experienced riders such as Christophe Laporte and Jasper Stueffen. “I don’t know what happened. Unbelievable,” he says afterwards.

“This is amazing. I never expected this,” said Jermay, who after last time joined Kemmelberg on set with Laporte, Stuyven and Dries Van Gestel and pushed them to the finish. “My plans changed only a few days ago, Friday night actually. I came here for a good result, but this? That’s amazing.”

“I don’t think I will ride the Tour of Flanders. I have been living here in Europe for more than three months and I miss my wife and daughter, so I have to go home.” Initially, the plan was to send him home after this weekend (initially La Roue Tourangelle in France was on his show today, editor) in the run-up to the Giro d’Italia.

In the end, Girmay rounded him off in a sprint. “I felt very good, but there were also strong riders. So I was a little scared, but when I saw we were going to make it, I had faith. Especially in the last 250 metres. I was confident in my sprint. It’s unbelievable to win,” explains. “A lot has changed for me, but it means that there is a bright future for African riders. Congratulations to all Africans.”