The phrase “Biniam Ghirmay – History Maker” has been used so often in professional cycling in recent years that you’d be forgiven for assuming it was the Eritrean rider’s full name.
But it was first seen in 2021 when he won silver at the World Championships in Leuven, then again the following year when he won at Gent-Wevelgem and Jesi at the Giro d’Italia, and will be making headlines again this week. After all, Girmay followed up those “firsts” by becoming the first black African to win a stage at the Tour de France.
At the Giro, Ghirmay was on the other side of the country, in Abruzzo, when he claimed Eritrea’s first Grand Tour victory. On Monday, 500km northwest in Turin, he overtook Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud de Lees in a furious final sprint and crash-hit run before the finish to become Eritrea’s first stage winner at the Tour de France.
But this is not the first time an Eritrean has stood on the Tour de France podium: Nine years ago, Daniel Teklehaimanot wore the polka-dot jersey in Le Havre, five days after becoming the first black African to start the Tour.
Speaking after the victory in Turin, Ghirmay said Teklehaimanot’s achievement showed him and other young Eritreans that it was possible to succeed at the highest level of sport.
“My dad loved watching the Tour de France and would always make us turn on the TV after lunch to watch it,” Girmay explained. “He taught us what it was like and how hard it was. When Peter Sagan won in 2011, I said, ‘Maybe I could be there,’ and he replied, ‘If you keep believing and keep working hard, everything is possible.’ Those words have stayed with me to this day.”
“Everything changed in 2015 when Teklehaimanot stood on the podium wearing the polka dot jersey. He showed us that anything is possible and that we can challenge for stage wins. That was definitely a big encouragement for us. [motivation]But still, there are many obstacles, ups and downs, especially for African riders.”
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Teklehaimanot became Eritrea’s first professional racer when he signed with Orica GreenEdge in 2012. Since then, others including Natnael Berhane and Merhawi Kudus have continued to pave the way for Eritrean cycling, while Ghirmay now races in the WorldTour alongside Henok Moulbulan (Astana Kazakhstan) and Lidl-Trek pair Amanuel Ghebreixabiel and Natnael Tesfatzion.
But Girmay has been the most successful of them all, and in keeping with the comments he made after each of his historic achievements, the 24-year-old has praised not just his country but the entire African continent.
“It means a lot to me personally, and especially to the African continent because it’s been so long since a black African has won the Tour de France,” Ghirmay said. “It especially means a lot for cycling in Eritrea because we have a long history with cycling. We have cycling in our blood and we know the Tour de France so well, so it’s great to win today.”
“[In Eritrea] I’m sure there will be a lot of movies and TV shows made about it, because I remember when I won the Giro there were loads of people watching in a bar and they were throwing bottles and tables because they were so happy.
“To be honest, it feels crazy today. I can’t even imagine it. I have so much support and so many people who inspire me, but I can’t even put it into words right now. I’m definitely on fire already.”
“I just closed my eyes and tried my best. I crossed the finish line first.”
Ghirmay celebrates with a group of Eritrean fans after sprinting to win the third stage (Image credit: Getty Images)
Besides the wider relevance and consequences of Girmay’s latest big win, there was also a sporting aspect.
Not only was he among a select group of sprinters to avoid a collision within the pack with 2.8km to go, but he also separated from the Intermarche Wanti lead pack as the riders sprinted into the centre of Turin, and took the lead in the final sprint.
At the front, Laurens Rex, Mike Theunissen and Gerven Thissen charged towards the finish, then one by one they pulled away to reveal Decathlon AG2R pair Paul Lapeyra and Sam Bennett and Riddle-Trek sprint duo Jasper Stuyven and Mads Pedersen.
The Dane jumped first and then took a big jump with 200 metres to go, while De Li and Gaviria raced down the middle of the road, but there was still enough space by the barriers for Girmay to get ahead.
He edged past Pedersen in the final 50 metres to take the lead and celebrated victory with a full bike length ahead of the rest.
“I remember closing my eyes in the last kilometre and just trying to get the best wheel I could because I lost sight of my teammates,” said Ghirmay, recalling that six riders from his own train were behind him.
“I just found the right wheel and made the smart move, moving closer to the barrier instead of on the left because the wind was so strong. Luckily there was no accident.”
“I passed Pedersen on the right, very close to the barriers. I just closed my eyes and went as fast as I could. I crossed the line first.”
The win marks a number of firsts for Girmay, for Black African and for his team, who have featured almost every time since their debut in 2017.
The Belgian team, with climber Louis Mentjes, went into the race with the aim of winning a stage and finishing in the top 10 overall. The South African, currently in 33rd place overall, begins his challenge on Tuesday at the Col du Galibier but, thanks to Gilles May, he has already achieved one of his goals on the third day.
👑 A King’s Sprint in Turin and a historic win for 🇪🇷@GrmayeBiniam! 🎥A look back at the finish of Stage 3 😍👑 A King’s Sprint in Turin and a historic win for 🇪🇷@GrmayeBiniam! 🎥Re-watching the end of Stage 3 😍 pic.twitter.com/CmYHolGbuSJuly 1, 2024
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