This Tuesday, July 16, Biniam Girmay fell in the finale of the sixteenth stage of the Tour de France, which was the last real chance for the sprinters to get a win. The green jersey suffered no fractures, but bruises to his right shoulder and knee, as well as to his right elbow, which required two stitches.
In the technical final in Nîmes, the Intermarché-Wanty team was guiding the green jersey to the front, when a narrowing in the approach to the last kilometer led to the crash of several riders, including Biniam Girmay. Accompanied by his team-mates, the three-time stage winner got back on his bike and finished the stage.
In the points classification, Biniam Girmay scored 13 points in the intermediate sprint and he now has a 32-point lead over runner-up Jasper Philipsen, the day’s winner.
Biniam Girmay:
“It was a very nervous finish, as it was the last chance for the sprinters to get a stage win and there were a lot of traffic circles in the last ten kilometers. The team battled to stay ahead, the road narrowed before the last kilometer and I touched another rider’s handlebars. I braked hard but it was impossible to avoid the crash. Fortunately, I was able to get back on the bike and finish the stage. I got stitches in my knee and elbow. I consider myself lucky. Mentally I’m not down, far from it, actually. I’m going to fight to the end in Nice.”
Simon Claeys (Doctor):
“Fortunately, the medical exams did not reveal any fractures. Biniam has contusions on his right shoulder, elbow and knee. His right elbow injuries required two stitches. Despite this setback, Biniam is in fighting spirit and will be ready for the start of stage 17 tomorrow.”
Points classification:
- Biniam Girmay 376
- Jasper Philipsen 344
