For his very first visit to North America, Biniam Girmay was not disoriented by the course offered to him by the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, where he finished third on Friday.
Posted at 6:00 a.m.
Circuit racing is what he always knew during his youth in Eritrea. During his childhood, his father took him to see the criteriums which took place a kilometer from the family residence in Asmara, the capital.
If he preferred to play soccer, he was a fan of cycling like all his friends and compatriots, a legacy of the Italian colonizers between 1885 and 1941.
At 11, he followed in his big brother’s footsteps and started racing on two wheels. His first mount?
“A Trek, an American bike,” smiled Girmay over an iced cappuccino Saturday night at his downtown Montreal hotel.
PHOTO MAXIME SEGERS, PROVIDED BY INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT
Biniam Girmay signs autographs.
Outside, in front of the garage, supporters, young and old, waited for the runners for cans, photos and autographs. Girmay was happy to respond to requests, a little surprised at the enthusiasm for cycling on this side of the Atlantic.
You come and they call your name. There is a lot of support here, even for my nation. I’m very happy to ride a bike, that’s why I love my job. You meet people and you make friends. It is special.
Biniam Girmay
The representative of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert, a Belgian formation which is also making its first appearance in America, keeps his eyes wide open during his first stay in Canada.
“I visited several countries, in Africa and in Europe. But I’ve never been to the Americas, except for the Youth Olympics in Argentina in 2018. It’s not just about running. This is also to see the differences. I thought it only spoke English in Canada. I see that you also speak French. It’s fantastic to see the differences there can be on a continent. »
A little surprised by the slope of the Quebec course when he discovered it in training, this natural competitor finally felt perfectly at ease during the event, where his teammates constantly kept him at the forefront. .
In the sprint for second place behind Benoît Cosnefroy, only the Australian Michael Matthews, double defending champion, beat him. Girmay beat none other than Wout van Aert, the big favourite.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Benoît Cosnefroy (center) won the race in Quebec on Friday, ahead of Michael Matthews (left) and Biniam Girmay.
“I grew up doing only circuit racing. With climbs of 500 or 600 meters, exactly like in Quebec. So the circuit will not be a problem [dimanche à Montréal], but the coast is quite hard. It’s more of a wear and tear test with over 4500 meters of elevation gain. It’s a good preparation for the Worlds, but I also want to do well at this race. »
“If you look at the start list, there are some pretty special climbers. Let’s hope it doesn’t go too fast, that I will have good legs and that I can try to get on the podium again. »
Racer mentality
At 17, Girmay left his country to settle at the World Cycling Center in Aigle, Switzerland. He developed there for two years under the tutelage of Canadian Richard Wooles, “a fantastic guy” who is now national team track coach.
Jean-Jacques Henry, his other coach French, had told The Press how the young man learned quickly and distinguished himself in the race thanks to a singular instinct.
I have a runner mentality. When I start, I don’t want to lose. I work hard for it, but I keep my cool and I don’t feel the stress. I love the battle for positioning, chasing to get back in front. I almost feel free when I’m racing.
Biniam Girmay
Hired by Intermarché last year, Girmay was quick to reward them, multiplying the good results in second level events. He confirmed his enormous talent by winning the U23 silver medal at the World Championships in Belgium.
But the 22-year-old puncher truly revealed himself this year by winning Ghent-Wevelgem, a WorldTour classic, and a stage of the Giro, two firsts for a black national from sub-Saharan Africa.
In Italy, he made more headlines for splashing the cork in the eye of the giant bottle of prosecco he was opening on the podium. Taken to the hospital, he had to abandon the race. He says he is fully recovered, but the injury still kept him off the bike for a month.
PHOTO LUCA BETTINI, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Biniam Girmay, while winning a Giro event
After each of these historic victories, he was greeted as a hero on his return to Asmara.
“They are really crazy about bikes! They could be 1000 clustered around a TV to follow my races. When I won in Italy, some were almost crying. If I win, they’re even happier than me. It’s very special. »
follow his trail
He’s used to often being the only black rider in the pro peloton, a situation he learned to deal with from his junior days.
“For me, it doesn’t make a difference. I’ve never had any problems with a runner and I’m very happy with that. I can see that I’m the only black person on the bus or at the team presentation here. It doesn’t bother me, even that it’s something special. »
Girmay hopes to inspire other Africans to follow in her footsteps.
There weren’t a lot of black riders at the WorldTour level, especially in the classics. Now we are here, we have won a classic, a stage of a grand tour. So it’s a big step for Africa, absolutely. I’m sure it will inspire more black cyclists to reach the WorldTour.
Biniam Girmay
His dream ? Win more classics, like Milan-San Remo, where he finished 12e on its first attempt this spring, and the Tour of Flanders. “I also like Paris-Roubaix that I did with the hopefuls. »
Dividing his time between San Marino and Belgium during the season, the remoteness is what he finds most difficult, especially since becoming a father to a baby girl in April 2021.
“My team helps me a lot by arranging my program so that I can go home. We do very good planning. Eritrea is also in the same time zone as Europe, which makes my life easier. »
The interview lasted nearly half an hour. Girmay hardly touched her cappuccino, smiling from the first to the last minute.