2024 Tour de France: Biniam Girmay ‘super proud’ of Tour success, hopes to be ‘big symbol’ for African cycling
Updated 16/07/2024 at 10:13 GMT+1
Intermarche-Wanty rider Biniam Girmay has been revelling in his Tour de France success, where he became the first black African to win a stage. The 24-year-old has won three stages in total at this year's edition of the iconic race in France. “To be one of the big symbols of Africans, a big pressure I know, but on the other hand, it’s really powerful to push me," Girmay told Eurosport.
'It's a hat-trick!' - Girmay in control of green jersey after winning stop-start sprint
Video credit: TNT Sports
Biniam Girmay has told Europort he is “super proud and super happy” after becoming the first black African rider to win a stage at the Tour de France.
The Eritrean cyclist ended a 121-year wait when he roared to victory in Stage 3 and then went on to claim success in Stages 8 and 12 - live on discovery+.
“To have two victories in the first week, to have the green jersey and also to win a stage, it’s fantastic. I’m just really proud of what I am doing,” Girmay said on The Gruppetto.
“A couple of years ago, I still had [Mark] Cavendish and Peter Sagan stickers in my bedroom,” the 24-year-old added.
“I couldn’t believe it, to see him winning at the same time with you and also to wear the green jersey, I’m just super proud and super happy for myself.
“[Cavendish] is 38 and I am 24 so imagine the time difference. At that time, I’m really happy, to be honest.”
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The Intermarche-Wanty rider made headlines with his historic victory earlier in July when he edged Fernando Gaviria (Movistar) and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny) in Turin following a chaotic sprint.
Having added two more stages to his impressive Tour de France showing to make it a hat-trick, Girmay explained how he hopes to be “one of the big symbols” for African cycling.
“For me personally, in my time there is not a black rider who wins at the Tour de France,” he said.
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'I just felt super fast!' - Girmay on 'the power of green' after winning Stage 12
Video credit: TNT Sports
“For me, I have to put a picture of Sagan or Cavendish because they are really big inspirations of my generation.
“To see myself like those guys, I’m not doing what they are doing yet, because I just started racing when I was 18 years old in Europe, so to improve in this short career and to win a stage to win the green jersey...
“To be one of the big symbols of Africans, a big pressure I know, but on the other hand, it’s really powerful to push me.”
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