Biniam Girmay admits struggles to train in Eritrea due to his popularity: "I might get asked for a photo two hundred times"

Whether Biniam Girmay is the most popular rider in the current pro peloton is disputed, but there is no doubt that his fans are the most passionate. Wherever the Intermarché - Wanty rider races there are always groups of fans carrying the Eritrean colors; and he admits that his popularity has become such that he is struggling to train in his home country.

"I haven't been able to train much in recent weeks. It's special to have so many fans who support you, but to be honest, it also has a downside," Girmay said in an interview in Canada where he will race the GP de Montréal this Sunday. "Going outside for a cup of coffee is almost impossible anymore. There are people everywhere who want something from you". Specially during the Tour de France, but elsewhere either, it was visible the amount of praise the nation's fans have over him, and he has truly become a superstar in Eritrea. 

"Training in my team clothing is almost impossible. If I go cycling for an hour in my team clothing, I might get asked for a photo two hundred times. I tried to make a slightly less recognizable team shirt, but that didn't work either". Girmay has found an unusual solution to this problem: “A black shirt, black bike… Actually everything in black". 

This week the 24-year old is competing in Canada. He just came off a second place at the GP de Québec behind only Michael Matthews. “It is nice to be on the podium of a WorldTour race again," he said ahead of Montréal, where it will be a lot more difficult for the sprinter to contest for a top result. "We are here with high expectations. We want to perform the maximum here because there are many UCI points to earn and those are important for our team.”