"If I win one stage that's enough, that's the main goal. The first goal is to finish the Giro, the second is to win one stage," he insisted.
"Of course, I'm a cyclist, if I won one stage I want another but if I won one stage, I'll be happy."
Eritrea is going crazy about Girmay's success and the African nation celebrates its Independence Day on May 24. That is the day of stage 16 to Aprica in the mountains but Girmay hopes to celebrate before then.
"There's a lot of chances this next week. I can't win on Independence Day but maybe Merhawi Kudus or Natnael Tesfatsion can win that day. I hope to win before that day.
"I've had five top fives so far. That's good. I learned something on every stage but you need the legs to win. Sometimes you're lucky and other times not. Hopefully things will go my way soon."
Girmay has chased sprint wins and points in the intermediate sprints. The cyclamen-coloured jersey appears to be a battle between the Eritrean and France's Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ).
Démare will wear the jersey on Tuesday's 196km stage up the Adriatic coast and then into the Marche hills. Girmay is hoping to be in the action, while some of the pure sprinters could be dropped.
"I got in the break on Saturday and survived the climbs to take points, so the ciclamino jersey is possible," he said.