In an exhilarating display of strength and perseverance, Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay etched his name into the annals of cycling history by becoming the first black African to win a stage at the Tour de France.
This monumental achievement came on the third stage of the race, a grueling 230.8-kilometer route from Piacenza to Turin, where Girmay out-sprinted his rivals in a dramatic reduced finish.
The victory was not just a personal triumph for the 24-year-old Girmay but a landmark moment for the entire continent of Africa. His powerful finish saw him surge ahead of Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria and Belgium’s Arnaud de Lie, who finished second and third respectively.
“I would say thanks to God for everything, for giving me all the strength and support,” a visibly emotional Girmay said at the finish line.
“Since I started cycling I was never dreaming to be part of the Tour de France but now I can’t believe it. I want to say 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. Now is our moment, now is our time. This is for all Africa.”
Girmay’s win comes as a beacon of hope and inspiration, showcasing the growing presence and potential of African cyclists on the world stage. His journey to this point has been remarkable, having already made headlines with a stage win at the Giro d’Italia in 2022.
However, conquering a Tour de France stage elevates his status to an entirely new level, symbolizing a breakthrough for African representation in one of the most prestigious and demanding sports events globally.
The stage itself was fraught with challenges. All eyes were initially on Mark Cavendish, who was chasing a record 35th stage win. However, a crash just over two kilometers from the finish line disrupted the plans of many, including the Manxman.
Cavendish and his Astana-Qazaqstan teammates found themselves out of position after the incident. Despite the setback, Cavendish was relieved to emerge unscathed, recalling the crash that had forced him out of the race a year ago.
“Something was going to happen,” Cavendish reflected post-race. “You could feel it but you didn’t know where or when. I heard it happening ahead so you’re on the brakes, you skid and you wait for somebody to hit you from behind.
Thankfully we were OK and I don’t think anyone was seriously hurt. You don’t want anybody to crash but I don’t think anyone was seriously hurt so that’s very good news. We didn’t sprint but we’re safe and that’s the main thing.”
While Girmay celebrated his historic win, Richard Carapaz of Ecuador donned the yellow jersey, becoming the first rider from his nation to do so.
The EF Education-EasyPost rider secured the jersey based on his accumulated finishing positions over the first three stages, maintaining the same overall time as cycling heavyweights Tadej Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard.
As the peloton heads into the Alps, the riders face the formidable Col du Galibier on the 139.6-kilometer route from Pinerolo to Valloire. This transition to the mountains is expected to significantly impact the general classification, testing the endurance and climbing prowess of the cyclists.
The results of stage three are as follows:
Biniam Girmay (ERI/Intermarche-Wanty) 5hrs 26mins 48secs
Fernando Gaviria (COL/Movistar) Same time
Arnaud de Lie (BEL/Lotto Dstny) Same time
Mads Pedersen (DEN/Lidl-Trek) Same time
Dylan Groenewegen (NED/Jayco-AlUla) Same time
Phil Bauhaus (GER/Bahrain Victorious) Same time
Fabio Jakobsen (NED/DSM-firmenich-PostNL) Same time
Davide Ballerini (ITA/Astana-Qazaqstan) Same time
Sam Bennett (IRE/Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) Same time
Bryan Coquard (FRA/Cofidis) Same time
General classification after stage three:
Richard Carapaz (ECU/EF Education-EasyPost) 15hrs 20mins 18secs
Tadej Pogacar (SLO/UAE Team Emirates) Same time
Remco Evenepoel (BEL/Soudal-Quick-Step) Same time
Jonas Vingegaard (DEN/Visma-Lease a Bike) Same time
Romain Bardet (FRA/DSM-firmenich PostNL) +6secs
Pello Bilbao (SPA/Bahrain Victorious) +21secs
Guillaume Martin (FRA/Cofidis) Same time
Egan Bernal (COL/Ineos Grenadiers) Same time
Jai Hindley (AUS/Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe) Same time
Aleksandr Vlasov (RUS/Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe) Same time
Girmay’s win is more than just a victory; it’s a statement that transcends sports. It underscores the rise of African athletes in cycling and heralds a new era of inclusivity and diversity in the Tour de France.
His achievement will inspire countless young cyclists across Africa, proving that with determination and support, they too can compete at the highest levels and achieve their dreams.
Source : BBC Africa sport
