Biniam Girmay Withdraws from Opening Weekend, Prioritizing Family Over Racing

Biniam Girmay will omit Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne after heading house to Eritrea to be together with his spouse and circle of relatives as they have got their 2nd kid.  

“Congratulations to Biniam Girmay and Saliem for the birth of their second child,” the Intermarché-Wanty group introduced after reviews of Girmay’s absence started to emerge in Belgium when he was once now not observed right through the group’s ultimate reconnaissance experience. 

“The team and Biniam decided together that he will skip the Belgian opening weekend and return home to be with his family.”  

Girmay has frolicked at altitude in fresh weeks and completed within the best 5 on two phases of remaining week’s Volta ao Algarve. He was once anticipated to be a contender within the Belgian races, particularly Sunday’s Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, which is extra suited for the sprinters. Then again, he has understandably put circle of relatives forward of racing.  

“I am so happy to become a father for the second time,” he mentioned in a temporary commentary issued via Intermarché-Wanty.  

“I am grateful to my team for giving me the opportunity to come back in Eritrea to be close to my wife and my daughters for this important moment in my life.”

Girmay gained 3 phases and the fairway issues jersey on the 2024 Excursion de France, turning into the primary Black African rider to face on a Paris podium. He confirmed his sprinting and Classics abilities via successful Gent-Wevelgem in 2022 and lately signed a brand new contract with Intermarché-Wanty till 2028. 

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He was once anticipated to experience Tirreno-Adriatico in early March however recommended his subsequent race might be Milan-San Remo on Saturday March 22 ahead of concentrated on the cobbled Classics in Belgium.  

“I will be back in Europe to chase my dream of winning a first monument, with Milan-San Remo, E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem and Tour of Flanders on my program,” Girmay mentioned.