Girmay knows what he wants in 2025, but also what he can't do: "That question is not necessary"
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleTime for an interview with Biniam Girmay on a rainy Friday afternoon in Albir, Spain. The Intermarché-Wanty leader sits in his chair, looks around at the journalists, and waits for the first question, "How are things with Biniam Girmay at the moment? The winner of the most recent green jersey smiles. 'I feel very strong, perfect," sounds the reply. It proved to be the trend of 24 minutes of self-assurance.
ADVERTISEMENT
During the Intermarché-Wanty team presentation, Bini was even more the go-to guy than in past seasons. After several years in the spotlight, the Africans can handle it well, although, after barely three days back on European soil, it always takes some getting used to. "So far, so good. I had a nice winter at home, but I also went to Spain in December in between for the training camp. And now I'm back again. Everything is going very well so far."
He will start his season in Mallorca in less than two weeks. "This year, I chose a different preparation, so I hope to start better than the last season. Not everything has become different, but we choose Milan-Sanremo as the peak. I felt that last year I missed some races beforehand, so that's why we are also starting in Mallorca now, to get a better feeling. Tirreno-Adriatico is also a good final indication."
Read more below the photo!
Girmay pinpoints Milan-Sanremo as main goal
Milan-Sanremo is quite evidently the big race playing in Girmay's mind. "Last year, it was a tough race there. I rode my best wattages on the Poggio and never rode up there faster, but the others proved better again," Girmay observed. "UAE is there, and they make the race tougher, but Milan-Sanremo is the Monument that should suit me best. That's why I keep aiming for a better result."
"It's such a complicated race. I hate the Poggio because I've been dropped three times already with just a few hundred meters to go," Girmay analyzes. "I keep hoping I can perform better there. Thanks to my stage win in the Tour, at the highest level, I have the confidence that I can do it. And so do my teammates and the staff. We keep learning and want to improve, and so far, every season has resulted in something great."
So, how should he approach that? "I can't get any more lightweight. I'm already pretty light for a sprinter, so it's still in the details—preparation, training, etc. Sanremo is the hardest race to win. It's 300 kilometers, and you have to economize with every pedal push. I've learned to do that better in the meantime, and that's why I want to be the best version of myself there now, but also in the Flemish races, I want to be there."
Read more below the photo!
Girmay ambitious for Flemish classics and Tour
In this area, after the Gent-Wevelgem victory in 2022, things have not gone smoothly so far. In both 2023 and 2024, Girmay experienced setbacks with crashes and suffered from bad weather conditions. "I hate the rain, but I have to adapt. Nobody likes it except a few guys. But you have to get ready for it. When I see it's raining, I don't like it. But by now, I'm used to it. The first time I came to Flanders, it was bad. Then, I only kicked half my wattage. But it didn't bother me last year, so I have no more excuses."
"I love the cobbles, and the Oude Kwaremont is my favorite slope, although that is also tough,' the Intermarché-Wanty leader indicated. By the way, Girmay will stay in Europe until early April. 'I have found a better balance between being at home and riding the appropriate races. When that all comes together, it suits me better. The commute isn't too bad because the flight is only six hours and there's no time difference. And I'm at altitude with my family, and there's always good weather."
So he will settle down again after the classics, with an eye on the Tour de France. In Lille, he will start with ambition. "As a sprinter, you don't have many chances to take the yellow jersey, but the second jersey normally suits me better than I do. The green jersey? You take fifty points if you win a stage, which is the goal. Then you automatically compete," he explains his goals for the Tour.
Read more below the photo!
Girmay knows the World Championship course in Rwanda does not suit him
If you say the cycling year 2025 and Africa, you logically come up with the World Championships in Rwanda. "It is still far away because first, there are the classics and the Tour. Only after that can I think about the World Championship, but it's not just about me. It's about cycling in Africa. It's a huge event on African soil; everyone is very eager to see it. That I'm the big African star? No, that's Louis Meintjes. That's true, ha' It will be a great honor to be there and show my national jersey."
Girmay is serious, as he seems somewhat disappointed that the Kigali course does not suit him. "If I tell you at the elevation count, that says enough. 5500, I think? My first reaction? Gruppetto. I have raced on the Wall of Kigali several times, but I also know myself. Still, I don't know what you expect from me. If I can compete there, I can also compete in the queen stage of a grand tour. That question is not necessary. I can't do anything there."
Do the fans in his home country realize that, too? "The people in Eritrea know the sport well, and they know what I can and cannot do. They don't expect anything from me there."
Read also
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
IDL-productions
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships
Track World Championships day 2: A golden day for Team GB, Levreysen goes 2 for 2, and Kopecky eliminates the competition
Rumours, speculation and guesswork: 2027 Tour de France route will be revealed live on October 22 in Paris
Latest Cycling News
Geraint Thomas admits Netcompany INEOS is not what it used to be: 'We’ve slipped up a few times'
'I'm in pain- I'm dying': The horror story of medical mistreatment in Oman hospital from recovering Cofidis rider
Wout van Aert's 2027 Calendar | There is one big title missing from his list of wins...
'He was born to do this': Mathieu van der Poel reveals secret to his racing technique
Mathieu van der Poel's 2027 Calendar | What will the path to 2028 Olympics look like?
Popular Cycling News
Tadej Pogačar isn't especially impressed by the 2027 Tour de France route: 'Its always more or less the same'
Which former pro has run the fastest marathon: Tom Dumoulin versus Lance Armstrong, Adam Yates and more
99 steps await the European Cyclocross Championship competitors: 'There’s no hill quite like it'
UAE boss wants to achieve what Visma already has: 'I don't know why it hasn't happened yet'
Merckx pays tribute to Kopecky atop Golden Gate Bridge: 'I don't need a destination when I have you by my side'
Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026