Biniam Girmay was given a warning by race judges for 'intimidation during the sprint' at the Tour de France, but Søren Wærenskjold of Uno-X Mobility thought the NSN rider should have been relegated down the stage 8 results.
What happened?
On stage 8 of the Tour de France, Biniam Girmay and Søren Wærenskjold were involved in a close finish, with Girmay appearing to lean on Wærenskjold and force him wide as they both swept around the final corner. Wærenskjold finished 11th after being forced to brake in the curve to avoid crashing into the barriers.
Why it matters for Biniam Girmay
Wærenskjold was not happy with Girmay's behavior, calling it "desperate riding" and stating that it was "totally undeserved" that Girmay finished ahead of him. Girmay had explained his version of events when speaking about his sprint to Eurosport, saying that "a guy from Uno-X went into my handlebars. Luckily I saved it, but I lost a lot of speed. That cost me…". However, Wærenskjold disputed this account, saying that Girmay had "pushed like crazy" and "bumped into me several times".
What comes next?
Both Biniam Girmay and Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM) were given warnings for 'intimidation during the sprint', and may risk a yellow card or relegation if they repeat their actions. The Uno-X team manager, Thor Hushovd, reviewed the video of the sprint but ultimately opted not to make any kind of protest, saying that "it is part of sprinting".
The incident has sparked controversy and debate among cycling fans and competitors, with some calling for stricter rules to prevent such behavior. However, others have defended Girmay's actions, saying that they were simply a result of the intense competition and pressure to win.
In the end, the decision to give Girmay a warning rather than a relegation has been met with mixed reactions. While some have praised the judges for taking a firm stance, others have criticized them for not being tough enough.
The Tour de France continues, with Biniam Girmay and his competitors facing the challenge of navigating the remaining stages without incident. Only time will tell if Girmay's behavior will have any lasting consequences for his career.
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Category: match_report