July 01, (THEWILL) – Biniam Girmay, a 24-year-old Eritrean cyclist, rewrote the Tour de France history books on Monday, by becoming the first Black African rider to win a stage in the prestigious race. Girmay’s triumph came during the third stage of the 2024 Tour de France, where he outsprinted his competitors in a thrilling finish.
The young cyclist demonstrated exceptional skill and timing as he crossed the finish line ahead of Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria and Belgium’s Arnaud de Lie, who claimed second and third place respectively. This victory adds to Girmay’s growing list of achievements, which includes becoming the first Black African to win a grand tour stage at the 2022 Giro d’Italia.
In a separate development, Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz donned the coveted yellow jersey, signifying his position as the overall leader of the race. This shift in leadership adds an extra layer of excitement to the ongoing competition.
The stage was not without incident, as pre-stage favourite Jasper Philipsen of Belgium was caught up in a significant crash just 2.3 kilometres from the finish line. The impact of this incident on the overall standings remains to be seen as the tour progresses.
Girmay’s historic win marks a significant milestone in the sport of cycling, highlighting the increasing diversity and global reach of the Tour de France. As the race continues, all eyes will be on this talented Eritrean rider to see if he can build upon this momentous achievement.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
