Gent-Wevelgem win "Great for the future of African cycling" says Biniam Girmay

Biniam Girmay has came to the cobbled classics this spring with modest ambitions but may very well leave it as the big revelation. With limited experience and only 21 years of age, despite having shown quality in the past few would've expected to see him riding with the best on the E3 Saxo Bank, and specially taking the win in today's Gent-Wevelgem.

"I don't know how I did it, it's unbelievable. I really didn't expect this. This is great for the future of African cycling," Girmay said after the finish, after taking an historical victory in the cobbled classics. "We had only just changed my plans to start here, it was only Friday evening that the decision was made," he added. He had said previously this week that his classics campaign would end at the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, but after finishing a surprising fourth place he decided last minute to prolong it until today's race.

"I just came here for a good result. And for some more experience. But now I'm very happy that I decided to start in Gent-Wevelgem. I really like racing in Belgium. Friday I did not expect such a result in E3. But today it went exceptionally well. I have no words for it," he added.

As luck would have it, Girmay not only ended up in the battle for Gent-Wevelgem, but he took the win. After surviving the climbs to the Kemmelberg, Girmay was in the peloton when it regrouped in the final 30 kilometers. Several attacks surged, however Girmay was quick to react to Christophe Laporte's attack with 25 kilometers to go.

Together with Laporte, Jasper Stuyven and Dries van Gestel, he worked to have the possibility of taking the win. He outsprinted Laporte in the end: "There were strong guys to sprint against, so I was a bit scared. But in the last 250 meters I was confident, especially because I was in last position. That distance is ideal for me."

"I don't think I'll change my plans again. I've been away from home for 3 months now, so I miss my wife and daughter. I have to go home," he said. Girmay will target the Giro d'Italia in just over a month's time, and will recover before training at altitude towards the first Grand Tour of the season.

"That is the big goal of the season. We may see each other again in Belgium next year. One day I would like to win Milan-Sanremo or Paris-Roubaix. And stage victories in a Grand Tour," he concluded.