Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay has made history by becoming the first Black rider to win a stage at the Tour de France, cycling’s most prestigious competition. Girmay’s victory places him among Africa’s elite cyclists, joining South Africans Robert Hunter (2007) and Daryl Impey (2019) as stage winners at the Tour.
On Monday, Girmay triumphed in the third leg of the race, covering 143.4 miles from Piacenza to Turin, Italy, in 5 hours, 26 minutes, and 48 seconds. This victory comes after placing no better than 101st in the previous two stages.
In a post-race interview, the 24-year-old expressed his joy and pride, stating, “It’s for all of Africa, Congrats, I would say. I’m just super happy today.” He continued, “We must be proud. Now we are really part of the big races. Now it’s our moment. It’s our time.”
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Aike Visbeek, the performance director for Girmay’s Intermarché Wanty team, highlighted the significance of this achievement, saying, “This is super important. 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’s landmark win follows his historic victory in the Giro d’Italia’s tenth stage in 2022, where he became the first Black African to win a Grand Tour stage. Unfortunately, he had to withdraw from that race after injuring his eye with a podium cork.
Reflecting on his latest accomplishment, Girmay shared, “I never dreamed to be part of Tour de France. But now, here, I can’t believe it. To win in Tour de France … for me was unbelievable.”
Girmay’s victory is a milestone for African cycling, inspiring hope that more riders from the continent will achieve success in the sport’s biggest events.
