Biniam Girmay has already had some early success this year in Australia. After a solid Tour Down Under, the Eritrean took victory at the Surf Coast Classic. It's this summer however, where Girmay's big goals for the year are placed.
“2023 was a big year of learning for myself and for the team. We had an improbably successful season 2022 behind our back. Personally I achieved unexpected nice victories for a young rider like myself. The past season has allowed us to grow, both as a rider and as a team," Girmay reflects in conversation with the official website of Intermarché - Wanty.
"I rode the Tour de France and finished a Grand Tour for the first time in my career. I have noticed the differences small details can make to be able to be a contender for the victory. I also understood that you need luck on your side," he continues. "In the Tour of Flanders, I was in very good form, but a bad crash prevented me from defending my chances. We have learned numerous lessons from 2023 and together with the team we want to return stronger in 2024.”
Girmay clearly has a good relationship with his sprint train and that is something he believes can carry him far this year. “One of these lessons was to adjust my preparation for 2024. This winter, I participated in the training camp in December for the first time. We enjoyed excellent weather conditions. We trained with the group for Tour Down Under and my sprint train, in an excellent atmosphere," he explains. “This season I will regularly be surrounded by the same group of riders in competition, such as my experienced lead out Mike Teunissen, young talents Laurenz Rex, Hugo Page and other riders who have the same qualities as me. We trained together a lot during the training camp in December to acquire automatisms. Racing together regularly is an important factor in success, in my opinion, and that would be a step forward compared to 2023, in which setbacks often prevented us from riding the same programme.”
When it comes to 2024 however, Girmay is eyeing up a big summer. “My goals in 2024?" Girmay ponders. "I am thinking of Milan-San Remo, among others.Then I will focus on an important period in the summer with races in which I want to perform well, such as the Tour de France and the road race at the Olympics, because the course suits me well. With the performance team we have established a very nice programme so I can give the best of myself.”
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