After promising years, Biniam Girmay confirms big target for Milano-Sanremo - "I rode my best wattages on the Poggio"

Biniam Girmay is the star at the Intermarché - Wanty camp, and one of cycling's most popular figures is going to once again aim high in 2025. A possible yellow jersey at the Tour de France, the cobbled classics... But also Milano-Sanremo becomes a huge goal for the Eritrean sprinter this spring.

"This year I am choosing a different preparation, so I hope to start better than in recent seasons. It is not that everything has changed completely, but we are choosing Milan-Sanremo as a peak," Girmay shared with a group of journalists, as reported by In de Leiderstrui. "I had the feeling that I missed some races in advance last year, so that is why we are starting in Mallorca now. I can then get into it in the Algarve, but Tirreno-Adriatico is also a good final indicator".

"Last year it was a tough one there again. I rode my best wattages on the Poggio and therefore never rode up there so fast, but the others proved to be better again. UAE is there and they make the race harder, but I have the feeling that Milano-Sanremo is the Monument that should suit me best. That is why I keep aiming for a better result".

Girmay is a sprinter but one who can handle the short climbs quite well, he has proven it many times in the past and believes the Italian monument is one where he could win. Until recent years, where sprinters usually won the race, maybe he could even do the same. Nowadays it is more complicated with the surge of climbers and classics specialists looking to make the climbs as hard as possible. He was 12th in his debut in 2022, and inside the Top30 on the past two editions.

"It is such a complicated race. I hate the Poggio, because I've already been dropped three times with just a few hundred meters to go," he jokes. "Among the last guys, but that's exactly why I hope I can do better. With my stage victories in the Tour, the highest level, I have the confidence that I can do it. And that also applies to my teammates and the staff. We keep learning, want to improve and so far that has led to something beautiful every season".

"I can't get lighter. For a sprinter I'm already quite light, so it's still in the details. Preparation, training and such. Sanremo is the most difficult race to win, absolutely. It's 300 kilometers and you have to save with every pedal stroke. I've learned to do that better in the meantime and that's why I want to be the best version of myself now, but I also want to be there in the Flemish races".

A former winner of Gent Wevelgem, it could be a big goal for the youngster this spring, but he won't hold himself only to the races best suited to the fast men, the Tour of Flanders is also on his schedule. "I love the cobblestones and the Oude Kwaremont is my favourite climb, even though it's also a tough one". He's found better consistency after finding a good balance between being at home in Eritrea and his time in Europe, he details: 

"I've found a better balance between being at home (in Eritrea, ed.) and riding the right races. When all that comes together, it suits me better. The travel is not too bad, because the flight is only six hours and there is no time difference. And I am at altitude, with my family and the weather is always good".

And of course, as the defending green jersey, he is certain for a Tour de France return, where he could even wear the yellow jersey if he wins the sprinter-oriented stage 1 in Lille. "As a sprinter you do not have many chances to win the yellow jersey, but the second jersey normally suits me better than me. The green jersey? If you win a stage, which is the goal, you win fifty points. Then you are automatically in the running".