Biniam Girmay has had a breakthrough season this year and in 2023 he will be aiming even higher. A bigger stint in the cobbled classics and a debut at the Tour de France are on the table for the Eritrean, who is currently recovering from a long season on the road.
"It is something very special. Not only for me, but for my country and African cycling," Girmay said in an interview with Ciclismo Internacional. “For my country, the Giro stage was more important, as it is a much better known race in Eritrea. But, for me and for the team, Gent-Wevelgem was much more beautiful as it was my first big victory."
Girmay hopes to indeed have the influence he is having in cycling, and to use it for good, specifically in developing cycling in Eastern Africa and less developed cycling regions. "I hope so. Not only do I want to inspire African children, I hope to convince teams to add African cyclists to their squads, we have a lot of talent," he continued.
With very little experience or background in the Belgian classics, Girmay surprised to ride into a 5th place at this year's E3 Saxo Bank Classic, riding alongside some of the best classics riders in the world. He had hinted at great results, but as he won the Gent-Wevelgem classic days after, the cycling world was astounded by it's new unexpected talent. Girmay is only 22 years old, but has also added a stage win at the Giro d'Italia to his palmarès only a month later.
In 2023, he hopes to improve further on his results: “I hope to participate in the Tour of Flanders and the Tour de France, it would be a dream come true. After my discovery of the Flemish classics, my goal is to better prepare them by training on the [1-week] tours. I need to adapt better to the cold and the rain, I'm not used to racing in those circumstances. In the time trial I am improving, but I still need to get used to it more," he said.
Girmay is for now a sprinter and classics rider, he has shown tremendous climbing skills in the punchy ascents and has became a very versatile rider. “Yes, clearly it will be harder. It is good to see that my respect in the peloton has grown, but the bad thing is that they will be watching me more," he concluded, referring to his expectations on the ease of taking wins in the upcoming season.
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