Bini wins No. 2, Riccitello conquers Provence

 

Biniam Girmay powered to his second victory of the season at Clasica de Almeria where team work was key…

“You have to wait sometimes at the beginning of the year. But now we already have two wins. It’s a perfect start to the season. It’s nice to start with this incredible teamwork. It gives us super nice motivation to work together and to build up for the biggest races”

-Biniam Girmay

“Bini finished it off with a fantastic sprint, but even more important was the teamwork. Communication was good, the fighting spirit was there, and the commitment from all seven riders was excellent. It’s beautiful to win after such a complete team performance.”

-Dimitri Claeys. Sports Director NSN Cycling

Matthew Riccitello claimed a notable victory both for himself and French team Decathlon CMA CGM, whilst Axel Laurence (INEOS) clinched the final stage. Laurance raced in four seconds ahead of the breakaway, while Riccitello finished in the peloton 15 seconds back. He conserved his four second overnight advantage over Rodriguez to triumph for the overall classification.

Riccitello is just 23 years of age and starting the first of three years with Decathlon, a specialist climber who will be riding the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and the Itzulia Basque Country this spring, plus the Vuelta a Espana in August. He was fifth in that grand tour last year and won the best young rider classification. Things are looking ‘up’ for the American climber.