On July 1, 2024, Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay made history by becoming the first black African to win a stage of the Tour de France.
By claiming victory in the third stage, spanning over 230 km from Plaisance to Turin, Girmay shattered a significant barrier and sent a powerful message to an entire continent.
A member of the Belgian team Intermarché-Wanty, 24-year-old Girmay seized the opportunity during a chaotic finale. Initially tasked with supporting his Belgian teammate Gerben Thijssen, Girmay had to improvise after losing contact with his team. He ultimately took the lead in a tumultuous sprint. "To win a sprint, you have to close your eyes and dive into the melee," he joked after his victory. "Apparently, I closed the right eye!"
Born in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, Girmay grew up watching the exploits of Tour de France cyclists on TV with his father. An admirer of triple world champion Peter Sagan, he never imagined he could match such feats.
After starting his career in Eritrea, Girmay joined the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland, in 2018. His progression was swift: in 2021, he won a silver medal in the under-23 road race at the World Championships in Belgium. In 2022, he triumphed in the one-day classic Gent-Wevelgem, marking his rise in the professional cycling world.
"Being the first black African winner is a message for the whole continent," Girmay stated. He views this performance as a strong signal to inspire African youth and showcase the potential of cyclists from the continent. With this victory, Girmay also leads the points classification for the Tour's green jersey, awarded to the best sprinter, and he does not intend to stop there. "This is our time," he said with conviction. "We are part of the big races now, and this is our moment."