"Biniam wants to compete with Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and Julian Alaphilippe" - Girmay aims high at cobbled classics, according to Intermarché manager

Biniam Girmay has had a breakthrough season this year, and Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Mate´riaux have re-signed it's sensation. In 2023, Biniam Girmay will aim for more victories in the cobbled classic according to team manager Aike Visbeek.

"The team must compete in the classics. This does not mean that we must win but we must chase top 5s and podiums," Visbeek told Wielerflits. "Clearly, we are aiming for a place in the ten first in the UCI team rankings. These are the stated objectives. In future years, we want to win a Monument. But you have to be consistent, winning this type of race requires long-term preparation."

The Eritrean would no longer surprise taking a victory in the cobbles - except for the monuments - following a terrific spring campaign which saw him win Gent-Wevelgem but also finish fifth in the much harder E3 Saxo Bank Classic. Supported by a team that has for years focused in the Belgian one-day races, his goals are quite realistic.

"Biniam wants to compete with Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and Julian Alaphilippe. We must support him if he wants to join them. It's a beautiful but gigantic challenge," Visbeek believes, however at only 22 years of age Girmay holds tremendous amounts of potential. Furthermore, his sprinting capabilities make him a threat in many races, a weapon that can be used aswell to chase UCI points which the team has thrived in this year.

"With Mike Teunissen, we would like to win a classic but the victory starts first with a semi-classic like Le Samyn or the Tour de Wallonie, which are important races," Visbeek concluded.