High-altitude training success for Abrahamsen ("stronger than ever"), Girmay already eyeing the Tour

On Sunday, Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X impressively won the Brussels Cycling Classic 2024. The 28-year-old Norwegian broke away from the peloton solo in the final phase, keeping the large group, featuring Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck), at bay at the finish.

All three men addressed the press in a flash interview. "There were some attacks happening fifteen kilometers from the finish, and I decided to go with them, along with a Soudal Quick-Step rider," winner Abrahamsen said, referring to Martin Srvcek. "With five kilometers to go, I left him behind, and it felt so good to ride to the finish solo. I only started believing in the victory three hundred meters from the finish."

"I have been so close several times before, like in the Tirreno-Adriatico," said the man who also made a strong bid for a victory in last year's Tour de France. "To now take my first pro win feels amazing. As a team, we are doing very well, with Alexander Kristoff having won on Saturday. We just came from a high-altitude training, my first ever. I feel so strong now! As Uno-X, we really want to win a stage in the Tour, after being so close last year."

Girmay and Groves fell short with their teams

Girmay finished second, ending a busy period of racing. "I didn’t expect Abrahamsen to stay ahead, so it's not a miscalculation. I'm now going back to Eritrea, where I will prepare for the Tour de France. So, I will be home for two weeks and then I hope to be good to go for the Tour. It’s an advantage that I live at altitude in Eritrea, but the weather is also good."

"After the classics, I already felt very good for the Giro," says Girmay, who dropped out of the Tour of Italy. "We ultimately decided to race a bit longer, and I actually still feel very good, so I feel ready for what’s coming."

Groves, who finished third, completed the entire Giro and continues racing. "I would have preferred to sprint for the victory, but we gambled a bit that Intermarché-Wanty would make up the gap. I'm still racing after the Giro because I missed many races due to an injury. So I wanted to keep racing until next week to capitalize on my form."