Girmay doesn't compete with the best in first sprint opportunity: "We should have waited longer"

In the third stage of the 110th Tour de France, Jasper Philipsen was unstoppable. The Flemish Alpecin-Deceuninck sprinter left everyone in the dust with a powerful sprint. Biniam Girmay was expected to be one of the prominent contenders to challenge Philipsen, who was considered the top favorite. However, the Eritrean rider of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty could only manage an eleventh place. In a press release, 'Bini' briefly reflects on his day.

"In this first opportunity for sprinters in the Tour de France, we showed that we were collectively present and strong. That was important. I followed my teammates, I had full confidence in them," the African rider starts off his analysis in a praising manner.

"On the key moments we had determined beforehand, they put me in an excellent position. Only in the final kilometer, we should have waited a bit longer to take the lead, in hindsight. I'm focusing on the positives - my form is good, and there are still many sprint opportunities to come," he expresses optimism for the days and weeks ahead.

The day after the stage to Bayonne, there will be another opportunity on the menu for the fast guys. Girmay won't have to wait long before he can make another attempt at a stage victory. After 181 mostly flat kilometers, it is highly likely that the winner of stage four of 'La Grande Boucle' will be determined through a bunch sprint.