Date: Monday, 19 September 2022
The 22-year-old Eritrean cyclist, author of another fine performance at the Grand Prix de Wallonie, intends to finish his season on a high note during the road race of the World Championships, on September 25 in Wollongong, in Australia.
It is now clear: we will have to count on the young Biniam Girmay, who intends to register in the leading pack of world cycling in the years to come. The 22-year-old Eritrean phenomenon, silver medalist in the 2021 World Cup hopefuls race, has just achieved a new major performance during the 62ᵉ edition of the Grand Prix de Wallonie, on September 14, by taking second place just behind Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel.
Biniam Girmay is however not at his first stroke of brilliance. He had already signed a feat by winning the 10e stage of the Tour of Italy last May, ahead of Mathieu van der Poel. A historic victory for African cycling, Girmay then becoming the first rider from black Africa to win a victory on a grand tour. The duel between the two cyclists is set to become a regular one over the next few years, with the Eritrean having demonstrated his ability to stand up to world cycling favorites and win major sprints.
In general, it is the whole of its start to the year 2022 which has been impressive, with its victory at the Ghent-Wevelgem Classic in Belgium followed by a Tour of Italy which was inevitably very noticeable, in addition to his surprise victory, with six stages out of ten finished in the top 5. He had to abandon the Giro prematurely following an eye injury which occurred on the podium in the 10e stage. A month later, for his return to competition, the cyclist from the Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert team scored another victory by winning the national time trial championship in Asmara, Eritrea. He also took 3e place at the 2022 Quebec Cycling Grand Prix on September 9.
Now, the Eritrean is focused on the major deadline at the end of the season, which could definitely put him in the big leagues: the road race of the World Championships, which will be held on September 25 in Wollongong, Australia. An event organized on the other side of the planet which does not suit everyone, starting with certain federations such as Switzerland and Canada which have asked their riders to cover part of their travel expenses, forcing some to cancel their participation. The Irish Cycling Federation, which is experiencing financial problems and considers the participation costs too high, will completely skip the meeting.
As for the headliners, big names like outgoing Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard, 2019 world champion Mads Pedersen and Olympic champion Richard Carapaz have chosen to preserve themselves and stay with their loved ones.
There will still be beautiful people to face for Biniam Girmay: Mathieu van der Poel, whom he has often found in the sprint in recent months, but also Wout van Aert, the double world champion Julian Alaphilippe, Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar . Nothing to scare the young Eritrean, who recently assured: “ I’m ready for the World Championships!
