Girmay's crash at Giro d'Italia epitomises his last two years
Eritrean star pulls out of the race on stage 4
Biniam Girmay’s 2024 Giro d’Italia has in a way epitomised his last two years. The spark of promise that he might be about to once again strike it big after his third place on stage three was crushed by multiple crashes the following day, ultimately leading to him abandoning the race at the roadside.
In the evening after the stage, Intermarché-Wanty released a short statement from their team doctor saying:
“After two crashes, Biniam Girmay was taken to hospital to carry out in-depth examinations in order to make a precise diagnosis and detect possible injuries. We will know all detailed results in the next days. Biniam is now reunited with the team and can count on the moral support of all his teammates and the staff for his recovery.”
Two years ago, Biniam Girmay was the talk of the cycling world. The first black African to win a Classic, and then a Grand Tour stage. Since then, Girmay has struggled to hit those same heights at the top level.
It’s hard, looking from the outside, to work out why.
He was winless in a road race after the Giro in 2022 - not counting his national TT win. He of course took some time that year to recover from his eye injury sustained while celebrating his Giro stage success. A third place in GP Québec was his best result throughout the rest of the year.
Last season yielded two victories, including a quite remarkable sprint win in the Tour de Suisse. It looked as if, after he had dispatched Arnaud Démare and Wout van Aert in the final dash to the line on stage two of that race, all was set up for a history-making Tour de France debut.
It wasn’t to be. In truth he was off the pace for much of it. Third his best result on stage 7, one of just two top-10s in the race.
Girmay started this season with a bang. He won the Surf Coast Classic in Australia in January before a classics campaign where he looked to be nearing his best form. After his third on stage three, where he looked to be gaining on winner Tim Merlier (Soudal - Quick-Step) on the approach to the line, a win at this Giro d’Italia looked on before his crash.
It’s been an inconsistent two years for Girmay. Flashes of brilliance, yes, but he has not yet kicked-on in the way many had hoped for to become one of the elite racers in the sport.
A role model
During 2022, when Girmay-mania was at its peak, the surge of excitement around this talented young rider was also a catalyst for so many. This is true not only for youngsters back in Eritrea and around Africa, but also for many black cyclists who seek a career in a sport so dominated by white faces. For them, Biniam Girmay was proof that they could do it too.
Speaking a few months ago to Red Walters, a Grenadian cyclist who races for Continental team X Speed, he told me that he had been personally inspired by Girmay’s success.
“When I see Biniam Girmay go to some WorldTour race and win, that's like the coolest thing in the world,” Walters told me. “And I know that that's definitely not just me, that's [the same for] a lot of people.”
“It's like shit, OK. This isn't just a white guy's sport. OK, this is possible.”
Cyclists from lesser represented ethnicities, cultures and continents need role models - people ‘like them’ who can inspire. In 2022, Girmay provided that, and he still does to a large extent.
Next for the 24-year-old Eritrean is for him to recover from his injuries and take aim at a second Tour de France for Intermarché-Wanty.
If Girmay can get back to winning races at the highest level, and especially if he can do that at this year’s Tour de France, he can inspire a generation of cyclists from under-represented backgrounds.
The form looked like it was there in Italy, perhaps all he needs is a little bit of luck.
Do you think Girmay will win a stage at this year’s Tour de France?
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I fear he is past the alignment of states and won’t win..