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Biniam Girmay, at just 21 years old, made history on sunday by becoming the first African cyclist to win Ghent-Wevelgem, one of the most prestigious Flemish classics. The Eritrean rider outpaced French competitor Christophe laporte in a thrilling final sprint.
This triumph marks a monumental moment for Biniam Girmay, as he etches his name into cycling history. His victory at Ghent-Wevelgem on March 27 is the first-ever win by a cyclist from a sub-Saharan African nation in a major cycling classic.
Girmay, aged 21, secured his win after a grueling 249-kilometer race, outlasting Laporte and two other riders in a nail-biting sprint finish.
Having earned a silver medal in the under-23 category at last year’s World Championships, Girmay’s latest achievement stands as the most significant milestone for a cyclist from sub-Saharan Africa.
Girmay turned professional in 2020 with the French team Delko and ascended to the WorldTour level in early 2021. His breakthrough came at the end of the 2021 season with a victory at the Classic grand Besançon, followed by a strong start to 2022 with a win in Mallorca in January.
Despite sunny conditions, the race remained fiercely competitive, with the Jumbo-Visma team launching multiple attacks that failed to break the peloton.
A Breakaway Quartet Takes Charge
Belgian champion Wout van Aert lead the charge on the third and final climb of the Kemmelberg, 34 kilometers from the finish. He was joined by a select group of elite riders, including Kasper Asgreen, Mads Pedersen, christophe Laporte, Dylan van Baarle, Søren Kragh Andersen, Matej Mohorič, and Tiesj Benoot. though, their efforts to create a decisive gap were thwarted on the flat roads leading back to Wevelgem.
In the final 25 kilometers, a quartet consisting of Laporte, Dries Van Gestel, Jasper Stuyven, and Girmay broke away. Despite the peloton’s efforts, which included several top sprinters, the gap proved insurmountable.
“This is beyond anything I could have imagined!” Girmay exclaimed after his victory. He plans to return to Eritrea before heading back to Europe to compete in the Giro d’Italia.
“The cobblestones were tough, and I struggled a bit, but I gradually found my rhythm and moved up through the pack.In the sprint, I knew I was up against strong competitors, but I trusted my instincts,” Girmay explained, noting that he launched his sprint from a distance.
“This win will have a huge impact on my career and the future of African cycling,” Girmay added, highlighting the growing prominence of African riders, further underscored by Rwanda hosting the 2025 UCI Road World Championships.
With AFP
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