Intermarché-Wanty puts its money on Girmay's bold ambitions in the Giro (yes, even in the first Giro stage!)

Intermarché-Wanty has an ambition in the Giro d'Italia that all 22 teams share: to win! The Belgian cycling team enters the first grand tour of the year with eight riders who can aim for stage victories on any terrain. Biniam Girmay stands out with his status and strong sprint train.

It was recently announced by the team that Girmay, after his successful debut in 2022, is returning to the Giro. he Eritrean rider clinched a stage win two years ago but had his race cut short when he was struck in the eye by a champagne cork during a victory celebration. With many challenging finishes and Girmay's sprinting capabilities, Intermarché-Wanty hopes to score. He will have the support of Adrien Petit and Dion Smith for setting up sprints. Dries De Pooter, Madis Mihkels, and Dutchman Roel van Sintmaartensdijk will also be there to assist. Lilian Calmejane and local Kevin Colleoni will handle the climbing stages.

"Stage wins" is the clear goal, with Girmay being the prime contender. "I'm mainly thinking about the opportunities at the beginning of the Giro, because they have a hilly profile which plays to our strengths. But he is not without a chance in the flat stages for pure sprinters, as he has shown earlier this season in Australia and Tirreno-Adriatico," explained team director Aike Visbeek in a press release from the team. In an interview with IDLProCycling.com, the Dutch director highlighted this point. "The goal is clear: we are here with Bini. We also have a nice mix, with Adrien as road captain and Dion with plenty of experience. With Roel, Dries, and Madis, we have three young guys who have already done many lead-outs. It’s their first grand tour, but they already know how it works."

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Girmay grew (and slimmed down) since his Giro debut in 2022

That Girmay won a stage in 2022 was a reward for a strong performance in the Giro. However, Visbeek emphasizes that his lead rider has since become a different cyclist. "In 2022, Biniam was particularly successful in sprints from a thinned-out group where he could fully leverage his power. Since then, we've worked more on the lead-out, although it might not have always shown in the real bunch sprints. However, he did finish in the top three at last year's Tour de France, where the level was incredibly high."

"He’s on a typical trajectory for a 23-year-old sprinter," the team director added. "Young riders in this field don’t usually make an immediate impact. His progress is on schedule, with more competitiveness and consistency in true sprint finishes. He’s young but improving steadily. He's also gotten better at fighting for position. He’s a quick learner; although he's not yet on Philipsen's level, he can hold his own with the best when in peak form. This Giro is crucial for him, offering numerous opportunities to sprint."

Girmay also revisited his successful run from two years ago during a chat with this website. "That was a standout year for me, very memorable. I’m significantly lighter now, which has improved my climbing abilities, yet my sprinting remains strong." What does this mean for the first stage in Turin? While many peg that stage for the GC contenders, Girmay isn’t conceding just yet. "There’s a reason they say 'surprise, surprise.' Two years ago, they predicted a tough first day, yet I placed second (just behind Mathieu van der Poel,ed.). This Saturday might be different, but I’m well-prepared, climbing better with my reduced weight, and I’m definitely aiming high."

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Intermarché-Wanty and Girmay no longer fear Giro temperatures

The team is radiating confidence, with solid support for Girmay. Following a challenging spring classics season, where he experienced a hard fall in the Dwars door Vlaanderen, he engaged in a rigorous training block. "I've had ample time to prepare for this Giro, spending three weeks at altitude in Eritrea. I'm eager to be competitive in every sprint, but I'm also eyeing the tough finishes. My main goal is to win a stage, though achieving that could also align with taking the purple jersey. While winning a stage is my primary focus, I'm ready to contend for the points classification if it becomes achievable."

Having weathered several years in the WorldTour, Girmay is no longer troubled by a little rain or snow. "Weather affects everyone, but I've gotten better at handling it. I felt comfortable in cold and rainy races like the E3 and the Tour of Flanders, where I even raced without gloves—this shows I've adapted. The Giro's conditions will be even more challenging than those in Flanders, but we're equipped to stay warm. I don’t foresee the weather being a problem in this Giro."

Intermarché-Wanty selection - Giro d'Italia 2024

Lilian Calmejane
Kevin Colleoni
Dries De Pooter
Biniam Girmay
Madis Mihkels
Adrien Petit
Dion Smith
Roel van Sintmaartensdijk