“I am really very happy about Bini Girmay’s success. You have to realise its significance. This rider has promoted his country, Eritrea, and his continent, Africa. His victory also shows the good side of the globalisation of this sport. In terms of repercussions, this victory is extraordinary for cycling. When you see the impact that the stage he won two years ago at the Giro d’Italia had, you can easily imagine that it will be even bigger this time. Because the Tour de France is the biggest race in the world. It is THE race that people watch all over the world.
We can be surprised by the fact that the Intermarché-Wanty sprinter won a sprint on a completely flat road but with the fall that happened earlier, other specialists were no longer there. Be careful: I do not want to minimize Girmay’s performance. A success in the Tour, regardless of the opposition or the circumstances of the race, remains enormous in a career. Arnaud De Lie came very close but he should not be disappointed. He found himself closed in twenty meters from the line and was never able to find the opening. It does not matter, at all. On the contrary! Being third in his very first sprint in the Tour is remarkable. It will be very good for his confidence and I am sure that he will have other opportunities during these three weeks.
Historic day for Eritrea on the Tour de France: “There are dozens of Biniam Girmays there”
Finally, I am not surprised that Remco Evenepoel did not try to take the yellow jersey from Tadej Pogacar. After two fairly tough first days, he chose the option of having a quieter stage. I also salute the attitude of the entire peloton who rode intelligently by not taking risks. For me, Remco has a better chance of taking the lead this Tuesday. The Col du Galibier is long and rolling, it should suit it. And I’m not sure that Pogacar particularly wants to take the lead now, even if anything is possible with him.”
