"I'm ready for the World Championships" - Biniam Girmay on strong Wallonie performance

Biniam Girmay is heading into the World Championships as an outsider, however he is showing good form towards the race and today at the GP de Wallonie he showed good climbing legs ahead of his main goal of the last part of the season.

"I'm happy with today because I was sick in Canada," Girmay said after the finish. He had travelled to Canada last week where he finished third at the GP de Québec, but had to abandon the GP de Montréal with stomach issues. This, followed by the following travel and jetlag, wasn't the ideal preparation for the Belgian race, but Girmay stamped his authority within Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux as he saw the whole Belgian squad controlling the finale of the race.

Girmay had three riders with him throughout most of the climb leading the pack, but he had to follow the wheel of Mathieu van der Poel into the final sprint. “But the team did a great job. I felt good in the final, but in the last corner I lost Mathieu's wheel. He was stronger than me in the sprint and I couldn't get any closer. Then it's fine to be second."

Girmay had strong legs in the finale, but found stronger competition in Mathieu van der Poel who returned to his winning ways. “I am happy for him. He's very strong and I like him. He rode a good sprint today, so congratulations to him. On the final climb we had everything under control. They did a great job, right up to the finish. But not just today, they've been doing that all year," he described.

Although Wollongong will feature more climbing, he has on several occasions this year shown to be capable of handling the one-day races well. He will race the Memorial Marco Pantani this weekend as the final step, but he has confirmed that "yes, I'm ready for the World Championships."