“He has not a family but a people behind him…” Biniam Girmay, a victory for Eritrea and Africa

The Eritrean won his first Tour de France victory on Monday. He is the third African to win the Tour, after Robert Hunter in 2007 and Daryl Impey in 2013 and 2019.

This 2024 Tour de France is definitely an edition of great firsts. After Romain Bardet’s first yellow jersey, Kévin Vauquelin’s first victory (for his… first Tour), it was Biniam Girmay’s turn to raise his arms for the first time on the Grande Boucle, Monday July 1. At the end of a long and disjointed sprint, the Eritrean defeated Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie.

A historic victory, the first for his team also in the Tour de France, which confirms its passage into the dimension of the great sprinters, those who win the biggest race in the world. After the South Africans Robert Hunter (in 2007) and Daryl Impey (in 2013 and 2019), he became the third African rider to win the Tour.

TAlways followed by his fan club who sing in his glory, “Bini” knows that on Monday, he won not only for himself, but also for his family, those who make the trip, but also those who watch him from thousands of kilometers away, in this country of 3.6 million inhabitants located in the north of the Horn of Africa. “I want to thank all Eritreans and Africans, we should be proud! Now we are truly part of the biggest races. This is our moment, our hour”congratulated the winner after his feat.

On arrival, in front of the makeshift campervan since their bus had broken down, his French teammate Hugo Page said nothing else. “For him it’s a strength. When we see, even yesterday [dimanche] at the camp, the number of Eritreans there were, I think we all dream of that. He does not have a family, but a people behind him and today everyone is rewarded.”his roommate said.

Biniam Girmay, who trained in a French team (Delko Provence), has climbed the ranks since his debut in 2021 and had already won a Grand Tour last year, on the Giro, where he injured his eye in the process while opening… the bottle of champagne. “We didn’t have time to tell him about the cork!”laughs Hugo Page. “Bini is incredible, it’s a pleasure to work for him. He wanted it for everyone, for himself too! He writes history line by line”, explains the Frenchman.

Discreet and calm, Biniam Girmay is appreciated by everyone in his team. “He’s super nice, he’s a calm person, very nice. I love him and I think everyone loves him on the team“continues the Frenchman. “Sometimes I panic, sometimes I tell myself that I’m in trouble, that I need to fight. He calms me down, he tells me that I’m strong, he gives me motivation.”adds the other sprinter of the team, Gerben Thijssen.

His victory also highlights the progress of African cycling, which will host the world championships in Rwanda next year. “Biniam is a perfect ambassador. It’s work that has been going on for years, it’s so important for cycling which needed it.”rejoices its performance director Aike Visbeek.

“Now the world has seen what is possible when you give these boys a chance.”

Aike Visbeek, Performance Director at Intermarché-Wanty

at franceinfo: sport

While only three African riders are present at the start of this Tour (Girmay and the South Africans Ryan Gibbons and Louis Meintjes), the road is still long for African riders. “I hope this will open the doors for other African runners.”adds Aike Visbeek.

“Being the first black African to win on a grand tour changed things, and that sometimes puts pressure on me. I think second place is no longer enough,” said the winner of the day before the start. It is now done.