On Monday 1st of July 2024, Biniam Girmay won the third stage of the Tour de France in Turin and offered Intermarché-Wanty its first historic success in the most prestigious race in the world. After two demanding opening stages, the third day in Italy was destined to crown a sprinter, after 230 kilometers between Piacenza and Turin. United around Biniam Girmay and Gerben Thijssen, the Belgian team mastered the final stretch. Positioned by Georg Zimmermann at the start of the last 10 kilometers, the sprint train with Hugo Page, Laurenz Rex and Mike Teunissen then took control in the final hectometres. Along the barriers, on the right-hand side of the road, Girmay emerged from Mads Pedersen’s wheel to win after a final 200-meter effort ahead of Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie.
Biniam Girmay became the first rider from black Africa to win a stage in the Tour de France, and thus made cycling history with Intermarché-Wanty after his resounding successes in Ghent-Wevelgem and the Giro d’Italia. With this victory, Intermarché-Wanty completed its trilogy of Grand Tour victories, following those of Taco van der Hoorn, Girmay and Jan Hirt in the Giro, and Rein Taaramäe, Louis Meintjes and Rui Costa in the Vuelta.
“It was a historic day. I was so happy for myself, for my team, but also for my country and my continent. Ever since I was a child, taking part in the Tour de France has been a nearly inaccessible dream. Winning in the Tour was so incredible, especially in such a competitive sprint. I was overwhelmed with emotions. My adventure on that Tour opened a new chapter in the history of cycling, for us Eritreans and Africans. We’ve been cycling for a long time, but winning stages and a green jersey, it was possible from then on. It was something special, thanks to my team, in particular Jean-François Bourlart who dreamed of this victory for so long, my family, all my compatriots and all those who supported me. We were proud of this victory. We showed that Intermarché-Wanty had the best sprint train in the peloton. We proved that we were able to participate in the biggest races and win. My joy was indescribable.”
Five days after his historic Tour de France victory in the streets of Turin, Biniam Girmay claimed his second victory of the Tour on stage eight. Wearing his green jersey, he triumphed in an uphill sprint in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises against Jasper Philipsen and Arnaud De Lie, the result of another remarkable team effort.
On Thursday 11th of July, Girmay took his third Tour de France victory, triumphing once more in the bunch sprint in the streets of Villeneuve-sur-Lot at the end of stage twelve. The Eritrean rider finished the job of lead out Mike Teunissen, defeating Wout Van Aert and Pascal Ackermann on the line.
Biniam Girmay and his teammates defended the green jersey for sixteen days. By bringing the precious jersey to Nice, the 24 year old Eritrean rider became the first African to win the points classification in the 121 year history of the race.
“It was a historic Tour de France for Intermarché-Wanty. Of course, thanks to Biniam Girmay, but the credit also went to the entire team who performed at an exceptionally high level. It was an extraordinary feat. Biniam was still young, it was only his second Tour de France, and we had three debutants in our roster. It showed the potential of our team. Biniam Girmay finished the job, and the whole team was lifted. We were all very proud of this Tour de France, which payed tribute to those who have been working very hard all those years before to enable us to celebrate this important success.”
