Biniam Girmay pips Primož Roglič to the post at Saitama Criterium

Tour de France sprint king heads up phalanx of WorldTour stars to take the victory in Japan

Biniam Girmay wins 2024 Saitama Criterium
(Image credit: Getty Images / Rhode Van Elsen)

Biniam Girmay sprinted to victory in the Saitama Criterium in Japan on Saturday afternoon, after a late solo escape by Primož Roglič was brought to heel just before the line.

The annual event, held on the streets of Saitama on the fringes of Tokyo, showcased a host of Tour de France stars, including Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan), Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) and Ben O'Connor (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale), and Roglič.

Speaking afterwards, Girmay said: "This year I had a win in Australia, a victory in Europe, in Africa, in Canada… it is the first time here [in Saitama] for me, and to win [already] is so nice, against the best cyclists in the world."

Results: Saitama Criterium

1. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty, 61.2km in 1:35:09
2. Primož Roglič (Slo) Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Mark Cavendish (Gbr) Astana Qazaqstan
4. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck, at s.t.
5. Nicolas Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana Qazaqstan, at 2sec
6. John Degenkolb (Ger) dsm-firmenich-PostNL
7. Kohiro Hatsukawa (Jap) Aisan Racing Team
8. Sandy Dujardin (Fra) Total Energies
9. Yukiya Arashiro (Jap) Bahrain Victorious
10. Amano Takeharu (Jap) Shimano Racing, all at s.t.

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After cutting his teeth on local and national newspapers, James began at Cycling Weekly as a sub-editor in 2000 when the current office was literally all fields.

Eventually becoming chief sub-editor, in 2016 he switched to the job of full-time writer, and covers news, racing and features.

He has worked at a variety of races, from the Classics to the Giro d'Italia – and this year will be his seventh Tour de France.

A lifelong cyclist and cycling fan, James's racing days (and most of his fitness) are now behind him. But he still rides regularly, both on the road and on the gravelly stuff.