Winning a Tour de France stage is "my personal goal" - Biniam Girmay

Biniam Girmay rose in popularity quite a lot last year, surprising to a win at Gent - Wevelgem, and then the Giro d'Italia. The next logical step was to move towards the Tour de France, and this is where he hopes to win now next.

"It's absolutely really incredible. I'm super happy and motivated and looking forward to it. I think our goal for the team is to win one stage. We'll try to do that and that's also my personal goal," Girmay said in an interview with Cyclingnews. "When you look back on the Tour de Suisse it's not a low level, it's a high level. So, when you win a sprint in this kind of race it gives me a lot of confidence and a big morale for the Tour. For now, and also for the future, it gives me a lot of confidence to sprint against the big rivals."

Girmay has not had such a spectacular season as last year, but that is natural taking into consideration how the expectations are also higher. He's had some bad luck in the spring and couldn't perform in the cobbled classics, but after some training and good health he has won a stage at the Tour de Suisse, looking ready towards his Tour de France debut.

"I think first we need to see day by day how it's going. We have ambition and planning from the beginning of the season to win one stage and to finish the Tour. After that, we'll see day-by-day. I think this year will be different, but we never know how it's going on and we'll try to see every day," he continues.

Girmay comes with a strong leadout including Mike Teunissen and Adrien Petit, whilst he should also be capable of getting through some hilly days. "I think it's really hard parcours but when I look back, I'm in better shape now. For sure it will be difficult. But you never know how it goes and I'll try to do my best."