TURIN, Italy — Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay made history as the first Black rider to claim a victory in a Tour de France stage on Monday.
Girmay expressed that his sprint triumph in the mostly flat third leg was dedicated “for all Africans.”
“We must take pride now. We are truly involved in the major races,” he stated. “Now is our moment. It is our time.”
Prior to the podium ceremony, Girmay approached Eritrean supporters waving their country’s green, red, and blue flag.
“There is an entire continent that has been anticipating this,” remarked Aike Visbeek, the performance director for Girmay’s Intermarche-Wanty team. “It has been accomplished now, and I hope it paves the way for more African riders. He serves as an ambassador in every sense.”
Meanwhile, a crash ahead of him in the finale delayed Mark Cavendish’s quest for a record-breaking 35th stage win, and Olympic champion Richard Carapaz seized the yellow jersey from Tadej Pogacar, becoming the first Ecuadorean to lead cycling’s prestigious race.
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Girmay also achieved a milestone in Italy two years ago by winning a stage at the Giro d’Italia, becoming the first Black African to secure a victory in a Grand Tour. However, Girmay faced a setback in his Giro victory when he was hospitalized after being struck in the left eye by a prosecco cork he popped during the podium celebration, leading to his withdrawal from the race.
In 2022, Girmay also became the first rider from a sub-Saharan country to win a single-day classic at the Gent-Wevelgem race.
Previously, cyclists from only one other African country, South Africa, have claimed Tour stages: Robert Hunter (2007) and Daryl Impey (2019). Although four-time Tour champion Chris Froome hails from Kenya, he represented Britain.
The 231-kilometer (144-mile) stage from Piacenza to Turin, the longest of this Tour, provided the initial opportunity for a mass sprint. There will be several more chances for sprinters as the race transitions back to France following the first four stages in Italy.
Girmay crossed the finish line just ahead of Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie, allowing him enough time to raise his arms in victory before concluding the stage.
Cavendish, tied with Eddy Merckx on 34 wins for three years, delayed his retirement to pursue breaking the record this year.
Israel-Premier Tech team members fell ahead of Cavendish, who finished 113th but was granted the same finishing time as Girmay under the rules that equalize times in case of crashes in the final five kilometers.
“I was simply focused on staying upright. I couldn’t see much being smaller in the group, but I could hear the chaos,” Cavendish revealed. “Someone skidded, and I was waiting for a domino effect. Thankfully, it didn’t happen, and we managed to get through, but we were too far behind, and with 2.5K to go, we were out of contention. I think no one was seriously injured, which is most important.”
Cavendish praised Girmay for his victory in the reduced sprint.
“That is monumental. Cycling holds great significance in Eritrea. It’s a fantastic achievement for him and African cycling,” Cavendish commented. “He’s truly a legend, isn’t he?”
Pogacar slipped to second overall, sharing the same time as Carapaz.
Remco Evenepoel, the 2022 world champion and Spanish Vuelta winner, holds the third position overall; and two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard is in fourth place, both with the same time as Carapaz.
Danish rider Casper Pedersen had to withdraw from the race after crashing 15 kilometers before the finish line and fracturing his collarbone.
The race will enter France on Tuesday during Stage 4, featuring the first major mountain climb to Sestriere and over the Col du Galibier, one of the Tour’s iconic ascents, covering a 140-kilometer (87-mile) route from Pinerolo to Valloire.
Pogacar and Vingegaard are expected favorites to claim the yellow jersey from Carapaz in the upcoming stage, with Carapaz having won the Giro in 2019 before securing gold in Tokyo three years ago.
“Tomorrow will be crucial,” stated Carapaz. “It will be challenging. I will give my all. I will savor every moment in the yellow jersey.”
