"This first week was absolutely perfect" - Biniam Girmay's star continues to rise at 2024 Tour de France with brilliant gravel display

After taking his second stage win of the 2024 Tour de France on Saturday, Biniam Girmay was impressive again on Sunday's gravel stage, taking a heap more points for his Green Jersey classification goals and eventually finishing 9th.

"I had fun at the beginning, but after 50 kilometres I was completely empty," the history making Eritrean of the Intermarché - Wanty team admitted honestly afterwards. “I just tried to keep going to score some points for the Green Jersey. I thought it would be a battle for the general classification riders, but in the end I was still in contention for the stage win, which was really nice.”

In truth, Girmay has barely put a foot wrong all race so far. Two stage wins (the only rider to double up at the Tour de France so far this year ed.) and a comfortable lead in the points classification (96 points clear of last year's Green Jersey winner, Jasper Philipsen ed.), the 24-year-old is continuing to prove himself among the very best the peloton has to offer and the biggest race on the calendar.

"This first week was absolutely perfect. The start of this Tour was great and I really enjoyed it," he assesses with pure delight. "Both physically and mentally I was super good. I feel even more confident after winning that third stage."

2024 Tour de France points classification standings at first rest day: