Biniam Girmay has made history by becoming the first Black African to achieve a significant victory on the grand stage of the Tour de France.
Girmay, who achieved his first Grand Tour stage victory at the 2022 Giro d’Italia, expressed the emotional impact of his accomplishment, “I thank God for giving me the strength and support. Since I started cycling, I never dreamed of being part of the Tour de France, but now I can’t believe it. Thank you to my family, my wife, Eritrea, and Africa. We must be proud. Now we are part of the big races and have success. This is for all Africa.”
It was a significant victory for Eritrean born in the Tour de France’s third stage, with Richard Carapaz of Ecuador claiming the yellow jersey from Tadej Podacar of Slovenia. This achievement is a personal triumph for the Eritrean rider and a momentous occasion for the entire African continent.
“We must be proud now. We are part of the big races”, Girmay said. “Now it’s our moment. It’s our time”
Added Aike Visbeek, the performance director for Girmay’s Intermarche-Wanty team: “There is a whole continent that has been waiting for this. It’s been done now, and I hope it will open the floodgates for more riders from Africa. He’s an ambassador in every way.”
Girmay, a familiar face on the grand stage, achieved a significant milestone in Italy two years ago by clinching a stage victory at the Giro d’Italia, thus becoming the first Black African to triumph in a Grand Tour. The term ‘Grand Tour’ refers to the three major three-week races: the Giro, the Tour, and the Spanish Vuelta.
Unfortunately, Girmay’s triumph at the Giro was overshadowed by an incident where he had to be rushed to the hospital after being struck in the left eye by a prosecco cork during the podium celebrations, leading to his withdrawal from the race.
Furthermore, in 2022, Girmay made history once again by becoming the first cyclist from a sub-Saharan country to emerge victorious in a single-day classic at the Gent-Wevelgem race.
Girmay’s triumph celebration is a testament to his perseverance, skill, conviction, and inner strength.