In the driver's seat

 

Biniam 'Bini' Girmay reached huge and important milestones for African and Eritrean cycling from his sparkling and stunning unexpected victory at Gent-Wevelgem. He hadn't recce'd the course beforehand but rode the Flemish Ardennes cobbles and hills with fondness. He will go back to Eritrea and spend time with his wife and daughter before his next scheduled race; Eschborn-Frankfurt (1 May) before taking on his first Grand Tour at the Giro d'ltalia (6-29 May). The young Eritrean is in the driver's seat and more success will follow.

"I lost many places on the Kemmelberg, especially on the first section and on the first cobblestones. I felt a bit uncomfortable. But after I felt better and better, rode smart, followed. Then in the end you know everybody is waiting for Van Aert so I played it a bit easy.

I came here last minute and I make cycling history. Congratulations to African Cycling and all African riders. I miss my wife, my daughter. Now I will go back home and prepare for the Giro d'ltalia.

It changes a lot in the future, especially for all African riders."

-Biniam Girmay

The Flandrien

"It was a headwind sprint, and I said if he was not on the wheel of Laporte, then he had to go himself because Laporte can go from distance. He was in fourth wheel and that's why he went the way he did.

Signing Alexander Kristoff this year gave us a bit more respect in the bunch, and when we go a good start with Bini and some of the other guys, we claimed our spot and we don't want to give it away. We are a group of nice people who work really hard, and Biniam fits really well with that.

He's a really nice guy. He's a winner, but with a human touch and with a smile. When he wins a race, he's very thankful. He goes to every member of the staff to thank them, and you don't see that so often.

I think the break will do him good because his first Grand Tour is coming and that's a new situation in his career. It's going to be a learning experience. Thanks to Alexander Kristoff, he didn't have all the eyes on him from the beginning of the season, but now he will.

He's aware of the fact that he's doing historical things and he wants to do that for his continent and his nation. He wants to win bike races."

-Aike Visbeek. Performance director, Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert

"This win is significant because there are so many bike riders watching this who will see a rider like them, at the top of the sport, and from today they'll believe that they can do it. He will be relatable to them. It's so significant."

-Xylon van Eyck. Team Novo Nordisk Pro Cycling