Biniam Girmay Makes History in Tour de France

Biniam Girmay Makes History

Biniam Girmay has etched his name in cycling history as the first Black African to clinch a stage victory in the prestigious Tour de France. The Eritrean cyclist secured his triumph in the third stage of the race, showcasing a remarkable sprint to the finish line in Turin, Italy.

Embracing his win, Girmay dedicated his achievement to the entire African continent, stating, “We must be proud now. We are really part of the big races. Now it’s our moment. It’s our time.” This victory adds to his earlier milestone at the Giro d’Italia, where he became the first Black African to claim a stage win in a Grand Tour.

However, Girmay’s celebratory moment turned bittersweet as he inadvertently suffered an injury to his left eye after being struck by a prosecco cork during the podium festivities, leading to his withdrawal from the race.

Dramatic Turn of Events

Meanwhile, the pursuit of a record-breaking 35th stage win by Britain’s Mark Cavendish was thwarted by a crash in the final moments of the race. On a positive note, Olympic champion Richard Carapaz seized the coveted yellow jersey from Tadej Pogacar, marking a significant milestone as the first Ecuadorean to lead the iconic Tour de France.

Cavendish, aged 39, had been deadlocked with cycling legend Eddy Merckx at 34 wins for three years and postponed his retirement to make another attempt this year at breaking the illustrious record.

Exciting Prospects Ahead

The challenging 231-kilometre stage from Piacenza to Turin, the longest leg of this year’s Tour de France, presented a prime opportunity for sprinters to shine. With the race transitioning back into France after the initial Italian stages, there are several more anticipated sprints that will test the mettle of the cyclists in contention.

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