Monday, July 1, 2024 at 5:38 PM
Biniam Girmay has booked a historic victory together with his stage win within the Tour de France. The Eritrean is the primary black African rider to win a stage within the Tour de France. The victory doesn’t come out of nowhere. The all-rounder of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty was beforehand additionally the primary black African winner in a spring traditional and within the Giro.
It has by no means occurred earlier than. A black rider on the finish of a stage in The big loop palms within the air. In truth, the Tour de France had solely had two African stage winners till Girmay’s victory. Solely South Africans Robert Hunter and Daryl Impey managed to do the job. Girmay’s victory is due to this fact way more than a private achievement.
Though the proportion of black Africans within the Tour de France has traditionally been very small, there was an enchancment since 2015. That 12 months, it was Eritrean Daniel Teklehaimanot (MTN-Qhubeka) who was allowed to put on the polka dot jersey. Within the years that adopted, we noticed riders corresponding to Tsgabu Grmay and Merhawi Kudus carry out on the very best podium. Nevertheless, none of them managed to win a stage.
For Girmay it’s not the primary time that he has booked such a historic victory. In 2022 he was additionally the primary black African rider to win a spring traditional. In Gent-Wevelgem he stored Dries van Gestel (TotalEnergies) and Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) behind him.
Biniam Girmay writes biking historical past in Gent-Wevelgem – photograph: Cor Vos
Two months later, it occurred once more. Within the Giro, the Eritrean grew to become the primary black African rider to win a stage in a Grand Tour. Within the dash, the all-rounder beat the robust Mathieu van der Poel. Sadly, the uncorking of the champagne turned out to be much less profitable. The cork hit Girmay within the eye, forcing him to surrender within the Giro.
Biniam Girmay now solely must win a stage within the Vuelta a España to finish his trilogy. In fact, he would even be the primary black African to attain this. The Eritrean serves for example for younger riders in Africa, the place he has now gathered a big group of followers.
African Tour de France stage winners:
Robert Hunter – 2007
Daryl Impey – 2019
Biniam Girmay – 2024
