“The Games are the next big step” - Biniam Girmay targeting Olympic Gold after standout Tour de France performances

Whilst much of the headlines from the 2024 Tour de France have been around the incredible fight for the Maillot Jaune between Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel, Biniam Girmay has been starring in the sprints and as the Grand Tour reaches its second rest day, the Eritrean holds a comfortable points classification lead.

In fact, with a final week that doesn't have too much for the sprinters, Girmay's 86 point lead over last year's Green Jersey winner Jasper Philipsen in the points classification looks almost unassailable. Ahead of the Tour de France however, Girmay wasn't planning on even challenging for the jersey. "But once I had won two stages, we really made that green jersey a concrete goal," explains the 24-year-old in a rest day interview with Wielerflits. "I definitely want to complete it now."

Pre-Tour de France, Girmay's main priority was building up form for the upcoming Paris Olympics, where the Eritrean will be targeting an Olympic gold in the men's road race. "The Games are the next big step”, Girmay smiles. “The plan I made with Aike Visbeek (Intermarché - Wanty's performance manager ed.) is to further improve my form in this Tour. That way I would be in my best condition at the start in Paris. But I am already in top form in the Tour, haha. That is of course something good and I will take it from there.”

With a Green Jersey looking likely however, there will be no chance of Girmay leaving to Tour de France early to best prepare for the Olympics. “I hope to finish this Tour safely in Nice. From there it is not far to maintain my current form until the Olympic Games. What is good to know is that I am the only rider who will represent Eritrea," he explains. "It will therefore be an extremely difficult race for me. But if I can continue what I am doing here in the Tour, then I hope to have the same form during the Olympic Games. If I succeed and I get through the race well, anything is possible.”

“I would never go there if I didn't think I had a chance. I feel super good at the moment. So why wouldn't I go for a medal? That was already my plan that I made together with the team. I'm going for the podium,” he concludes full of optimism.