For the first time in the history of the Ghent-Wevelgem race in Belgium, which began in 1934, an African takes home the trophy. In late March, 21-year-old Biniam Girmay from Eritrea was crowned the champ.
Girmay battled against top competitors who were far more experienced than the young 21-year-old. Other cyclists in the race included Christophe Laporte from France, as well as Van Gestel Dries and Jasper Stuyven from Belgium.
“It was a big moment for me, for my continent, for Eritrea, and especially for black cycling, to show our potential in the world,” says Biniam, after lunging to the finish line. “It’s unbelievable…amazing. I did not expect this.”
Although he may have not expected this, his fanbase may have, considering his impressive resume. In 2018, he joined the UCI World Cycling Center development program. And he’s been collecting accolades ever since.
Within just two years of his professional career, he won four stages in the two biggest races in Africa. He won three at the Tropicale Amissa Bongo in Gabon, a country on the central west coast of Africa. And he won one at the Tour du Rwanda.
Girmay is also one of the few to ever defeat Remco Evenepoel, a Belgian cyclist who currently rides for the UCI World Team Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl team. Girmay defeated Evenepoel in the Aubel-Thimister-Stavelot race.
After stacking up wins and accolades in Africa and Europe, his momentum didn’t stop there. He went on to win a silver medal at the Under23 UCI Road World Cup in 2021. And with that precious medal in his hands, he was in the spotlight on an international stage.
The second Monument Classic race, the Tour of Flanders was held on April 3rd in Belgium, but Girmay didn’t participate. “I have not been home in three months,” he says.
But while at home with his family, it wasn’t all rest. He was preparing for the next big race. “I’m going home and getting ready for the Giro d’Italia” he said, which is an annual, multiple-stage race primarily held in Italy. The race was held between May 6 – May 29.
But unfortunately, as Girmay was making strides in the race, he fell to injury – not during a race but during a celebration after his historic triumph on Stage 10. He accidentally popped a Prosecco cork in his eye. Girmay suffered from a haemorrhage in the anterior chamber of his left eye and was unable to participate in Stage 11.
Girmay may compete in the next big race: the Tour de France, which will be held from July 1 to July 24. It will begin in Copenhagen and end in Paris.
