Even Lance Armstrong now wants to go to Eritrea – the African cyclist breaking the boundaries wants a change in the sport | Sport

Biniam Girmay was the first black African to win a stage in the Tour de France. Kirimie’s winning streak has continued as the tour progresses.

Familiar riders from the big stables from traditional cycling events are fighting for the victory in the Tour of France this year as well. by Tadej Pogacar, by Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel however, something unprecedented is happening in the background of Mittelö.

The points competition for sprinters is led by the Eritrean from Intermarché-Wanty, a World Tour team Biniam Girmay. He made history in a three-stroke Tour by taking a stage win as the first black-skinned African.

– Today, everyone believes that African cyclists can achieve anything. This is important for me, but especially for the entire continent, Girmay, 24, comments on the historic moment.

– Eritrea has a long history of cycling. The sport is in our blood and we really know a lot about the Tour de France, so winning was amazing. It’s incredible to find yourself the fastest in the world.

After that stage win, there have been two more first places, both at the end of mass battles. No one else has been able to win as many in this year’s race.

The success of the cyclist, who has become a national hero, has caused people to celebrate on the streets of the country’s capital, Asmara.

Perhaps the most well-known name in the cycling world also threw his spoon into the soup Lance Armstrongwho announced on his podcast that he wants to Eritrea.

– How do you get to Eritrea from Austin? How long does it take? Where do I have to change flights?, Armstrong asked his tour operator on the phone.

A long way

Growing up in Asmara – more than 5,000 kilometers from France – Girmay became interested in cycling as a child, inspired by his father. Every July, the family gathered around the television to watch the Tour de France.

Soon Girmay started pedaling himself. In 2015, his countryman Daniel Teklehaimanot held the Tour hill race leader’s jersey for a few stages. It was a turning point in the career of 15-year-old Girmay at the time.

– When Daniel was successful, I thought it was possible to participate in the Tour one day. Daniel showed that an African can win. My father encouraged me to believe, Girmay recalls.

He excelled at the games in his home country, especially as a talented sprinter, but it is a long way from Africa to Europe in many ways, because there are not many opportunities to show his talents.

However, at the age of 18, Girmay was noticed and he was able to train at the International Cycling Federation’s training center in Switzerland, where life was hugely different from before.

– I didn’t know anything about Europe, it was completely different from Eritrea. I had to learn English and the language of cycling, it took some time.

However, results began to emerge and Girmay signed a professional contract in 2020. Two years later, he won a stage in the Tour of Italy.

Biniam Girmay is the only dark-skinned African in this year’s circumnavigation. The Eritrean sprinter would like to see a change in the matter in the future.

For example, in another endurance sport, Africans have been extremely successful in running. One would think that talented talents can also be found in cycling.

– If especially European teams invest properly in African cycling, our sport will become more international. That would be great to see.