Dylan Bettencourt
Biniam Girmay made history by becoming the first black African to win a grand tour stage at the Giro d’Italia.
When the young cyclist from Eritrea was celebrating his win, opening the bottle of prosecco champagne awarded to podium holders, the cork popped and hit Girmay in the face.
The 22-year-old was taken to hospital for checks after the incident which ruled him out of the rest of the competition.
As the race reached its final kilometres, Girmay’s teammates guided him back to the front of the peloton before he unleashed a final sprint to cross the line first.
Girmay is only the second African winner of a stage at the Giro d’Italia event after South African cyclist Alan van Heerden in 1979.
The up-and-coming cyclist claimed the Gent-Wevelgem one-day classic in April.
“I realise I’m making history,” Girmay said.
“I started the Giro with the desire to win a stage. Everyone from the team pulled for me today.”
Despite his success in cycling, Girmay always dreamed of becoming a professional footballer, but watching his older brother he developed an interest in cycling.
Their father, who was a carpenter, saved up enough money to buy his sons bicycles.
Girmay left Africa to train at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Switzerland, which was designed to assist riders from countries that lack infrastructure.
He has two significant victories to his name and is determined to become a household name in the sport.
Image source: @CyclingTips
