Saitama Criterium – Biniam Girmay sails over line first as Japan gets its taste of the Tour de France

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The green-jersey clad Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) was a fitting victor for the tenth Saitama Criterium on Saturday, winding up the pace to catch an escaped Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) just before the line as the top riders from the Tour de France put on an exciting show for the fans who lined the streets of the city circuit.

The criterium, an exhibition of top Tour de France talent, played out in uncharacteristically wet conditions in Saitama City, 30km to the north of Tokyo. Riders got a brief respite from the rain as they cut through the Saitama stadium during each of the 17 laps of the 3.6km course, though many of the spectators braved the increasingly wet weather for hours as they watched the day unfold.