Tour de France green jersey winner Biniam Girmay signs new deal with Intermarche-Wanty, targets Olympic Games
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Published 22/07/2024 at 19:12 GMT
Biniam Girmay will stay at Intermarche-Wanty until 2028, the cycling team announced on Monday. The Eritrean rider broke a number of records with his green jersey triumph, winning three stages of this summer's Tour de France on the way. Girmay is now eagerly looking forward to the commencement of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. His focus will be on challenging for the road race.
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Biniam Girmay has pledged his long-term future to Intermarche-Wanty after winning the green jersey at the Tour de France.
Girmay has signed a deal with the Belgian team until 2028 following his three stage wins in the iconic race.
Joining Intermarche-Wanty in 2021, the Eritrean became the first Black African to win a Tour stage and a classification with the points jersey this summer.
Girmay made history at the Giro d’Italia a year after joining the team, becoming the first Black African to win a Grand Tour stage, and he was delighted to prolong his involvement with the team.
"Intermarche-Wanty is like a family to me, the perfect team to achieve my goals," said Girmay via social media.
"In all circumstances, the team supported and trusted me, even during the most difficult times. Extending the adventure for two more years is [an] obvious choice."
After Girmay’s historic Giro victory, the rider unwittingly injured his left eye by popping a prosecco cork in celebration and was subsequently hospitalised.
And at the Tour de France this year, the Eritrean crashed a kilometre and a half from the finish line of Stage 16 and failed to score any points in the race for the green jersey.
Thankfully, the sprint specialist recovered to complete the stage and ultimately held off closest points rival Jasper Philipsen of Belgium.
Girmay is gearing up for his next challenge, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games - with the time trial on July 27 and road race on August 3.
The rider continued: "I'm convinced that we can still achieve great things together, and I'm already looking to the next goals, starting with the Olympics."
At the completion of Stage 21, and confirmation of his green jersey triumph, Girmay was almost lost for words on reflection of all that he had achieved.
"What can I say?" said Girmay. "To be honest I really tried to enjoy it but sometimes, the feeling of emotion it was more than I expected.
"Just like everything is just so wonderful. I feel like I’m floating through the sky. It’s super nice.
"I just want to say for the young kids, keep working hard and everything is possible. I really would like to share my happiness and all the emotions."
And to his Intermarche-Wanty team, the Eritrean was gushing in his gratitude.
Girmay said: "All the staff, the team manager, the bosses, I want to say thank you to them, because from the start we had a great atmosphere, good team spirit.
"We did such an incredible job to protect this jersey. We gave everything we had.
"We have really the smallest budget of the World Tour teams, so to have three incredible victories and the green jersey, it’s just amazing."
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