Announced in the 2010s, Eritrean cycling is experiencing a “second wind” with Biniam Girmay, candidate for victory in the Tour of Italy sprints.
With his victory at Ghent-Wevelgem on March 27, Girmay, 22, became the first African to win the classic. If he wrote history that day, he was the heir to the World Cycling Center (CMC) sector, created by the International Cycling Union to support the talents of emerging countries.
His compatriot Daniel Teklehaimanot was the first rider from sub-Saharan Africa to wear a polka dot jersey for best climber at the Tour de France in 2015. The 33-year-old athlete also topped the Dauphiné mountain classification in 2015 and 2016 .
Frenchman Michel Thèze, former director of CMC, noticed this.
since sparklehis countrymen struggle to live at the highest level.
The success of Biniam Girmay come at the best time. This will give a second windhe believes. This is a confirmation of the huge potential that exists theresaid Michel Thèze in an interview with AFP.
Michel Thèze discovered the potential of Teklehaimanot during the African Championships in 2008.
Eritrea, I don’t really know where it is located on the maphe admits.
This country sandwiched between the high plateaus of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea has lived in virtual autarky, under an authoritarian one -party regime, since it gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993.
Eritrean runners have interesting traits, but we don’t know that, nor do they know, because there is no opening of the country, taught by Mr. Thèze.
Inherited from Italian colonization between 1885 and 1941, the practice of cycling is deeply rooted in Eritrean culture. Competitions are often there, and of high standardsemphasized by Michel Thèze.
In large parts of the country located between 1800 and 3000 meters above sea level, runners have unique physiological capacity.
In this rugged terrain, they develop solid technical characteristics. I found them very good, especially on the downhill, unlike most other Africans who climb well but often fall.added Michel Thèze.
In Africa, they are crushing competition. Since 2010, they have won 8 of 11 individual continental road titles, and 10 team time trial titles.
The patient ascent of Biniam Girmay, according to him, is an example to follow.
Now, we’ve detected them earlier, at the age of 18, and we’ve found that in a great organization that helps them thrive, we have a Biniam capable of winning some great races in Europe at that age. which is 22. If it continues in such a framework, there is no doubt that there are others, as the class riders continue to come out there.
For his first pedal stroke on his first big tour, the cyclist from Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux took 2nd place on Friday during the inaugural stage of the Giro, losing only to Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel’s sprint .
Source: Radio-Canada
