Biniam Girmay endures the ‘hell’ of Roubaix on impressive debut: “It's the most painful to ride the bike on the cobblestone”
Cycling
Biniam Girmay experienced the brutal reality of
Paris-Roubaix for the first time on Sunday, putting in a strong ride to finish
15th on debut in the Queen of the Classics.
The Intermarché – Wanty rider handled the infamous cobbles
with poise, avoiding crashes and mechanical issues that marred many others’
races. Though physically demanding, the 25 year old Eritrean emerged from the
race with a sense of satisfaction.
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“I would say it's not like crazy but for sure it's the most
painful to ride the bike on the cobblestone,” he admitted to Cycling Pro Net.
Despite the pain, Girmay revealed the experience wasn't as
bad as he feared, in part because his race was relatively smooth.
“I think I expect a lot worse but luckily I don't have any
problems so that probably helped me to enjoy the race. I don't have any
punctures or crashes so that's beautiful actually. I enjoy quite a lot and then
to be able to do top 20 it was beautiful.”
Girmay played his part in a strong team performance from
Intermarché–Wanty, who placed two riders in the top 10 and another in the top
20 alongside him.
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“I think in the end of the day we need to be happy. We have
two guys in the top 10, then also two guys in top 20, so it's beautiful.”
Asked about the pivotal moment after the race split around
the Arenberg Forest, Girmay confessed that the chaos made it difficult to keep
track of what was happening.
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“I don't have any idea. I just race and then I just follow
my front wheel and I don't have any idea what's going on. I just hear in the
radio a couple of guys in the front and this and this, but yeah, it's really
hell to ride in Arenberg.”
So, will he be back next year to take on the legendary pavé
once again?
“I don't know, I'm not sure,” Girmay replied with a smile.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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