Paris-Roubaix 2025, Girmay on debut: "I'm happy and I want to do well"

Rome, 4 April 2025 - The Giro delle Fiandre 2025 loses a potential protagonist but acquires another, who will then also have an absolute debut the following Sunday: Julian Alaphilippe says no to the Flemish race to focus on Ardennes, while Biniam Girmay he is ready to dream of writing another page of history before setting his sights on, and it will be an absolute first, the Paris-Roubaix 2025.  

Girmay's statements

  The Eritrean's excitement is obviously palpable. "Being at the start of this race for the first time makes me happy: together with the Milan-Sanremo and Tour de France, it is the most followed race in my country and as a child I often dreamed of being there". In reality, there is a precedent of the runner of theIntermanché-Wanty in 'Hell of the North. "Six years ago I took part in the competition reserved for under-23 and I remember well how exhausting it was, with punctures, falls and obviously the cobblestones. It cannot be compared to any other race: not even to the Classics in Flanders". Despite the awareness, Girmay It's not just about the debut: see you next time Paris-Roubaix, scheduled Sunday April 13, the Eritrean wants to do important things despite very tough competition. "With the team we have decided on the right moment for my debut. This spring there are all the ideal circumstances: my form is good, the race falls well in my program and the weather conditions should be optimal. I want to do well and I know that this could be an important experience for my future. Furthermore, the Paris-Roubaix It's an important race for the team, which has achieved notable results in recent years."

Fraile retires at the end of the year

  The 2000 class knows well the importance of the gregarious in the economy of a captain's success: among them, at home Ineos Grenadiers, there is Omar friar, who announced on his social media profiles that he will retire at the end of this season. "It's time to say goodbye to my life as a professional cyclist. I have been one for 14 years, Of which 10 since World Tour. I carry with me sweet memories and many wonderful people from this period. This decision comes at the most beautiful moment of my life, especially from a family point of view. In recent years it had become increasingly difficult to leave my home and travel." Not only the subjective reasons: Fraile, like many riders of the so-called old generation, is affected by the changes in an increasingly frenetic cycling. "This sport is becoming more and more demanding, also in terms of nutrition and training. All this has complicated things for me, who had already achieved my dream by entering the Ineos Grenadiers, the best team in the world where I felt welcome from the first pedal stroke. I learned a lot from my teammates, for example the new role of domestique and I can say - concludes the Spaniard - that worrying while riding for a team like that is a privilege not everyone has".

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