Eritrean Biniam Girmay abandoned the Tour of Italy on Wednesday morning the day after his historic victory in the 10th stage and the injury to his left eye caused by a cork of prosecco on the podium, we learned from his Intermarché team.
Girmay became the first black rider in Africa to win a grand tour stage on Tuesday.
But on Wednesday, the 22-year-old athlete inadvertently received the lid of the giant bottle he was about to open on Jesi’s ceremonial podium.
Treated at the hospital of Jesi, in a good way according to the doctor of his training at Intermarché, he joined on Tuesday night in the early evening at the hotel of his Intermarché team in Riccione, where he organized a small party in his honor.
The Belgian team chose to wait until morning to make a decision on the continuation of the Giro for its African nugget.
In the team entourage, it was indicated that the choice to abandon the race was made out of prudence. Additional eye exams are planned in the short term for Girmay, who left the hotel on Wednesday morning with his manager after greeting his teammates and support staff.
Within a few months, he had become one of the big names in the international peloton. The first African runner to put his name on the list of winners of a classic (Ghent-Wevelgem at the end of March), dramatically beating Frenchman Christophe Laporte, he established himself as the best sprinter/puncher.
Second in the opening stage of the Giro in Hungary behind Mathieu van der Poel, he led the Dutchman in the long sprint at the end of the 10th stage in Jesi.
In classifying the points, so he was within three points of wearing the cyclamen jersey for the best sprinter, the Frenchman Arnaud Démare.
On the line, van der Poel thumbs up in respect before congratulating his winner.
The Dutchman also nearly fell victim to a rough traffic during the official ceremony that followed his victory on stage. But he received the cork on one shoulder, without injury taking on the same severity as for the Eritrean.
Girmay, who joined the Intermarché team in the spring of 2021 after becoming professional last year with French team Delko, made his mark last season by winning a silver medal in the world hopes race in Louvain. (Belgium).
Source: Radio-Canada
