Biniam Girmay will lead Intermarche-Wanty team at the Tour de France. He became the first Black African to win a Grand Tour stage on the 2022 Giro d'Italia.
What's the goal?
Girmay's principal job will be to target a sprint stage win.
Team support
His team has high hopes he can add to his historic win, with sports director Aike Visbeek saying they have been practising a sprint train.
Previous successes
Girmay won his Giro stage in a four-man sprint ahead of Mathieu van der Poel. He has also won a sprint classic and took a sprint stage at the recent Tour of Switzerland.
Upcoming challenge
The Eritrean cyclist is ready for the Tour de France, saying "it will be a big moment for me and for Eritrea". He will be joined by teammates Lilian Calmejane, Rui Costa, Louis Meintjes, Adrien Petit, Dion Smith, Mike Teunissen, and Georg Zimmermann.
Career highlights
Girmay won three golds at the 2018 African Championships, earning a place at the UCI world training centre in Switzerland. He turned pro in 2020 but his Delko team went bust, before being signed by Intermarche.
Tour de France lineup
The Intermarche-Wanty team is set to compete at the Tour de France, with Girmay as their leader. "We'll try and pull off a top 10 spot too and we'll give him all the support he needs," Visbeek said.
Road to success
Girmay's historic win at the Giro d'Italia has given him the confidence to aim high at the Tour de France. With his team's support, he is ready to take on the challenge and make his country proud.