Two years after his historic success in Ghent-Wevelgem, Biniam Girmay returned in the top 10 of the Flemish classic this Sunday March 24th, achieving seventh place at the end of the 253 kilometer race.
The riders of Intermarché-Wanty were attentive when crosswinds in the Moeren split the peloton, making it to the first group with three riders. The entire group then united in the approach towards the first of three passages on the Kemmelberg. After all hills and plugstreets, Intermarché-Wanty was the best represented team in the peloton.
The favourites then opened the final, with Hugo Page in a counterattack behind the leaders Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen until the final 10 kilometer.
The riders of the Walloon World Team then protected Biniam Girmay in his preparation for the sprint for third place. The Eritrean finished seventh, two days after having battled with the favourites in the E3 Classic.
“This Ghent-Wevelgem was pretty different compared to the previous editions. It was probably the first time I raced in such a windy conditions with echelons from the beginning of the race. It was quite hard, but I could appreciate it. The Belgian classics are so atypical, when the peloton exploded my Bryton showed that we still had 120 kilometer with many difficulties to race. Just like in our previous races like Milano-Sanremo and the E3 Classic we showed our collective strength. With such a strong group I am convinced that our best days are yet to come. Personally, I am focused on Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday and the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, two prestigious races in which I want to benefit from my good shape.”
