"The entire peloton will be happy that Tadej Pogacar's not participating" - Biniam Girmay sees opportunity in rival's absence at Tour of Flanders
Cycling
Currently participating at the Tour Down Under and showing some good legs in the early stages of 2024, Biniam Girmay already has one eye towards the Spring Classics.
A former Gent Wevelgem winner, Girmay was questioned by In de Leiderstrui in Australia about his goals for this year's Spring and the notable absence of Tadej Pogacar from some of the Eritrean's targeted races such as the E3 Saxo Classic and the Tour of Flanders.
"You can ask this question to the entire peloton... Since he started competing, everything has changed," Girmay says with a smile when asked if Pogacar's absence makes a win more likely for the Intermarché - Wanty star. "I also enjoy tough races, and Pogacar brings a lot of emotion to a race, even among the fans. He is an incredibly friendly guy, and it's a shame he won't be there in the spring, but the entire peloton will be happy that he's not participating, haha."
Speaking of fans, wherever Girmay goes he brings with him a legion of Eritrean support. "I love those fans. Without fans, it's nothing. They give me a lot of strength," he says gratefully, although he realises the extra pressures such support brings. "If I finish second now, they are not happy. That's great, but it also brings pressure. It comes from all sides. In Eritrea, they literally say that I have to win every day. Even when there's a mountain stage on the agenda. They want me to win, always. It only adds to my morale, but sometimes I have to laugh when I read things like that."
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