"I want to have this or better form at the Tour" - Biniam Girmay ends his spring racing block with second place at Brussels Cycling Classic

Biniam Girmay was the fastest sprinter at the Brussels Cycling Classic on Sunday, but it was only enough for a second place. The thinned out peloton in which Girmay rode was surprised by Jonas Abrahamsen's late attack. The Eritrean's focus will now shift toward his second Tour de France appearance, where he'll get another shot at adding his first Grance Boucle stage to the collection.

"We didn't expect Abrahamsen to have such legs," the Intermarché - Wanty Eritrean applauds the Norwegian opponent after the race. "He chose a good moment, when everyone was on the limit. We didn't expect it to turn out like this. As a team we did everything, but Abrahamsen had the best legs and that is what matters. We tried everything behind that, but it didn't work. This can then happen."

Girmay now prepares for his second participation at Tour de France. "This was my last race before Tour de France. Now I'm going to build up and I want to have this form at the Tour, but I hope to be able to take it one step further," he says ambitiously.

"For that I am going to Eritrea for two weeks. I am there with my family and can train there in good weather," he explains. "It is at an altitude of 2,400 meters and I can go even higher, that is a beautiful place. I have shown here that the form is there, so I am ready for Tour de France."