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Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay hopeful of bouncing back after crashing in Stage 16 of Tour de France
Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot - Aurillac, France - July 11, 2024 Intermarche - Wanty's Biniam Girmay celebrates winning stage 12 REUTERS/Molly Darlington TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
By Michael Kirwa |
Girmay has so far won three stages of the ongoing 2024 Tour de France
Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay is hopeful of bouncing back from on Wednesday as the 2024 Tour de France enters Stage 17 after he crashed 1.5 kilometres to the finish during Stage 16 on Tuesday.
Girmay was on course for another impressive finish but the crash meant he could not challenge for the sprint to the finish line which was won by Belgian cyclist Jasper Philipsen of Team Alpecin-Deceuninck.
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During Stage 16, the riders competed over 188.6 kilometres from Gruissan to Nîmes.
Being the last flat stage of the 21-stage cycling competition, Girmay was hopeful of registering his fourth stage victory of the tour having won Stage 3, 8, and 12, which were all flat stages.
"Unfortunately, today was not an easy finish. We know this is the last sprint stage and everybody gets more excited and tries to do as much as they can in the front. I also try to be there," Girmay told the Tour de France website as he looked back on how crucial Stage 16 of the competition was.
Girmay attributed his crash to the last 10 kilometres of the race having so many roundabouts which created for narrow stretches that saw cyclists risking to come into contact while riding at high speeds.
"There were also a lot of roundabouts in the last 10km. It’s narrow at every roundabout and then suddenly, I don’t know who it was from EF, we touched handlebars, he went inside me and then I didn’t have nothing to do, I just found myself on the ground," Girmay said.
Girmay also expressed relief at not being badly injured and looked forward to racing on Wednesday.
"But luckily I’m able to ride, so that’s the good thing. I hurt my knee and and I have two stiches in my elbow but it’s not a problem. To be honest mentally I’m ok so we will see tomorrow and hopefully I’m going to be ok. When I crashed and I got up I saw that I could ride my bike and I was happy," Girmay further said.
While acknowledging the crash as a setback in his chances to maintain the Green Jersey, Girmay chose to take positive in having a chance to finish the competition.
"For me I don’t care if I lose this jersey or I keep it, I’d just like to like to arrive in Nice without any trouble. Still now, it’s not finished yet so I’ll try to fight," he added.
Girmay's performance is being closely followed by cycling enthusiasts worldwide, with millions in Eritrea rooting hard for him.
It was therefore understandable that there was great concern on his physical state when news of his crash spread.
Intermarche-Wanty, the team he races for, took to Twitter (X) to allay fears that he had been badly injured.
Good news. No fracture for Biniam Girmay 💚
— Intermarché-Wanty (@IntermarcheW) July 16, 2024
"Medical exams showed that Biniam has bruises on his right shoulder, elbow and knee, but no fracture. His injuries to his right elbow required two stitches. Despite this setback, Biniam shows fighting spirit and will be ready to race… pic.twitter.com/8IqOpkceAm
Girmay also took to Twitter (X) to assure his fans of his well-being, thank them for their concern and messages, and, promise to finish the competition strongly.
Dear all, thanks for all the messages and support. After today’s crash, I went to see a doctor. I have small injuries but everything is ok. I hope to see you all in Nice! pic.twitter.com/2Tq0rnS6zs
— Biniam Girmay (@GrmayeBiniam) July 16, 2024
There was also concern for Girmay from Jasper Philipsen, whom he is competing with for the Green Jersey.
As quoted Cycling News, Philipsen hailed Girmay's prowess and stated that it would be unfair if he lost the Green Jersey due to the crash as he (Philipsen) had no hope of catching Girmay.
"He's climbing really well. I just hope he's OK after the crash, because he doesn't deserve yet to lose like this," Philipsen said.
The 21 Stages of the Tour de France as split as follows: eight flat stages, seven mountain stages, four hilly stages, and two individual time trial stages.
During flat stages, which range from 163.5 kilometres to 230.8 kilometres, riders compete over a long distance at high speed with the final outcome determined by a sprint finish. In flat stages, cyclists rely on their power and sprinting prowess.
Hilly stages, which range from 177.5 kilometres to 206 kilometres, comprises short steep climbs which test the endurance, strategy, and technical skills of the cyclists.
The mountain stages are the most challenging as their routes have longer steeper climbs. Mountain stages are usually shorter that flat and hilly stages but they really test the mental strength and physical endurance of the cyclists. Mountain stages range from 132.8 kilometres to 211 kilometres.
In the Individual Time Trials stages, which are the shortest in terms of distance, riders race against the clock by aiming to get to the finish line before the set time lapses.
Girmay has proved adept at competing on flat stages. Excluding Stage 16, the 24-year old finished in the top 10 in all the seven other flat stage races finishing first on three occasions (Stage 3, 8, and 12) and second twice (Stage 6 and 10). He finished fourth in Stage 13 and ninth in Stage 5.
Girmay, evidently, struggles during the mountain stages. He has so far finished outside the top 100 in all the four mountain stage races, ranking 145th in Stage 4, 140th in Stage 11, 125th in Stage 14, and 126th in Stage 15.
The hilly stages has seen mixed results from but with his performance improving progressively. He ranked 122nd in Stage 1 before climbing 21 positions to 101st in Stage 2. In Stage 9, he registered his best result on hilly terrain with a ninth-place finish.
Therefore, going by his record in flat stages, he was expected to finish in the top 10 yet again but the crash saw him cross the finish line in 141st position.
As a result of his performace in flat stages and during intermediate sprint races in the other stages of Tour de France, Girmay ended up wearing the Green Jersey, the uniform won by the best sprinter at Tour de France competitions.
He had won the jersey since Stage 4 and going into Stage 16, with 376 points, he had a 96-point lead over Jasper Philipsen.
However, following his crash in Stage 16 and Philipsen winning that race, Girmay's lead was cut to 32 points as the Belgian increased his tally to 32 points.
With the remaining stages of Tour de France being hilly (Stage 18) and mountain (Stage 17, 19, and 20) as well as the individual time trial in Stage 21, Girmay will be hoping for a repeat of his performance in Stage 9.
It is during the hilly Stage 18 that Girmay can put the effort needed keep hold of the Green Jersey as it is the only remaining where sprinters stand to collect points.
The 2024 Tour de France is expected to end on Sunday, July 21 with riders competing in the Individual Time Trial over a distance of 33.7 kilometres from Monaco to Nice.
The 2024 Tour de France has attracted 176 cyclists and the competition has taken place in four countries: France, Italy, Monaco, and San Marino.
Due to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, this year's competition will mark the first time that the Tour de France that the race is not finishing in the French capital.
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