For the first time in his young career, Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) will begin his season in Australia. The 23-year-old Eritrean will take part in the Santos Tour Down Under after a disappointing 2023.
In 2022 Girmay burst onto the professional scene, after beating Gent Wevelgen and being runner-up in the 2021 under-23 world champion. Therefore, he will try to start 2024 very strong.
Start of season in Australia
“I prefer running in the heat than in the cold. The last few days went well, so I spoke to the team to change plans and start the season in Australia. It’s a WorldTour race and I would have the opportunity to win stages”, declared Girmay, at the Australian pre-race press conference.
First Tour Down Under
“This is my first Tour Down Under, so I will have to change the plan from the last two years, where I started directly in Europe. With the difficult climate in Europe, I had good results, but I couldn’t perform at my best. I don’t feel 100%, because of the weather,” explained the Eritrean.
“I’m very focused on this start of the season, first here at the Tour Down Under, then on the Classics. After that we have a plan A and a plan B, so we will see how the form will be after the first race and we will decide what we will do, in relation to the Olympic Games and the Tour de France”, he concludes.
Watch the interview: