Biniam Girmay Hailu reinforces Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux with immediate effect. This Monday, the rider from Eritrea will make his debut with the shirt of the Belgian team on his shoulders at the Tour de Pologne. Girmay Hailu is the second rider from the African continent racing with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux next to Louis Meintjes. The young talent from Eritrea was formed at the Centre Mondial du Cyclisme in Aigle and was crowned the junior African champion in all road disciplines. The 21 year old is known as one of the only riders who were able to beat Remco Evenepoel in the junior category. Meanwhile, he also showed his talent in the pro ranks. Biniam Girmay’s entry in the professional category was a big success. At the age of eighteen, he won stages and podium spots at both the Tropicale Amissa Bongo and the Tour du Rwanda. He improved these results in 2020 in the colors of DELKO, before showing nice performances on the European territory. He was defeated by Loïc Vliegen at the Tour du Doubs and also nearly took the victory at the Trofeo Laigueglia. This season, he confirmed that hilly courses suit him well by finishing 7th at the Royal Bernard Drôme Classic, 9th at the Trofeo Laigueglia or 6th at La Roue Tourangelle. Biniam Girmay Hailu signed a contract until the end of 2024 and will defend the colors of the Belgian team starting from this Monday.
I’m a fan of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux for a long time already. I turned professional two years ago and the team also reached a new milestone in its development recently by stepping up to the World Tour. I want to progress at the same rhythm of the team, that’s why I’m happy to receive this long term opportunity. I already tasted the good atmosphere and the special spirit, on and off the bike, a true Belgian team. I’ve got a particular affinity with Belgium, because I remember my victory against Remco Evenepoel at Aubel-Thimister-Stavelot as if it were yesterday and because I love all Belgian classics. I already discovered the Flèche Wallonne, but I can’t wait to race the other ones. I’m dreaming of Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France. I feel ready for the World Tour and I’m very motivated to perform and to win!
We’re following Biniam Girmay Hailu already since his time at the Centre Mondial du Cyclisme, because he’s shown his exceptional talent in the junior category, for example by defeating Remco Evenepoel in a duel. It is our priority to integrate young talents in our project in order to build to future. We’ve chosen to invest on the long term in this rider from Eritrea, to make him gain experience an offer him the possibility to become a classics champion.
Several teams were following this incredible talent, so we’re pleased to welcome him in our structure. The recruitment of Biniam Girmay is an investment in the future. This spring, the rider from Eritrea has shown that he’s ready for the next step in his career, the World Tour. We discussed about his development and we established a long term plan. His programme will be adapted to his development. On the short term, we want to prepare him for the U23 World Championships in Leuven. He already met his new teammates and we got to know his good and calm personality better, but he especially has a strong winner’s mentality!
