The downside of a bizarre Tour de France? Girmay and green jersey Milan reflect anxiously in Paris: "I don't know why"
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Follow us on GoogleJonathan Milan and Biniam Girmay would like to see the 'normal' finish in Paris return to the Tour de France in 2026. The Italian from Lidl-Trek won the points classification and thus celebrated the green jersey that Girmay won a year ago with three stage victories. Milan only needed two stage victories because the 2025 Tour was hardly suitable for sprinters from start to finish. Even the final day in Paris proved too tough, with a new finale featuring three climbs up Montmartre.
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It was an idea borrowed from the Olympic Games in Paris, and so we saw the Tour peloton power up the cobblestones three times, with thousands of people behind the barriers. “The guys really tried for me on the first Montmartre, but it was just too tough. I really enjoyed the stage after that,” Milan said after the race.
“It was my dream to finish with a sprint, but this was really the complete opposite. I did my best and I'm happy with the Tour we rode,” continued the Italian, who won his green jersey largely thanks to many intermediate sprints and two stage wins on days 8 and 17. Will he return to the Tour? “We'll have to see what the route looks like."
The 2025 Tour has discouraged many sprinters. "I really suffered in this edition, but I would love to return to experience it all again. The Tour was a big goal for the team, and it has always been a dream to arrive in Paris in the green jersey, ever since I turned pro. We achieved a lot today, I am very happy with that," said Milan.
For a moment, it looked like the Italian would have to admit defeat to Tadej Pogacar, but after his stage win on day 17, the green jersey was his. “It was a tough fight, but we deserved this. I'm going to sleep on Monday, preferably until 10 AM or later. And I'm going to eat pizza, a nice margherita. I'm going to miss the people in the Tour, but definitely not the climbs, haha!”
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Girmay said he was better than in 2024
For Girmay, nothing worked out in the Tour de France. He crashed, lost ground, and never finished higher than second in the sprints on day 1. “It was romantic to ride through Paris like that,” he smiled, referring to the fact that there was no longer anything at stake for the sprinters. Moreover, due to the rain, the time was already recorded 50 kilometers from the finish.
“I had expected some crashes and chaos before the stage, but everyone was afraid, so the selection was already made on the first climb up Montmartre. I felt pretty good, but I lacked the punch and fresh legs. The others were too strong, even though I was well-positioned. I still prefer last year's finale,” said Girmay.
In theory, the Eritrean seemed less impressive than in 2024, when he won three stages and the green jersey. Nothing could be further from the truth. “I look at my computer, and I've already achieved some crazy metrics in just one hour. It's so fast, I don't know why. I was better than last year, but we never found the momentum. We could have performed better, but we learned a lot.”
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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'.
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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
