Eritrean cyclists in pursuit of inspirational Girmay

Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay is a hero in his cycling-mad homeland.

The first black African to win a stage on the Tour de France, the 24-year-old “African King” also took the race’s green jersey earlier this year – inspiring a host of Girmay wannabes coming up in his slipstream.

“My goal is not to repeat what Biniam did. I aim to surpass it,” Keven Teklemariam told BBC Tigrinya.

“He showed us that what seemed impossible is achievable.”

The 17-year-old is a rising star, already on his way to building a successful cycling career.

At the African Road Cycling Championships held in Eldoret, Kenya, earlier this month, Teklemariam won two of Eritrea’s seven gold medals and was the only rider at the event to triumph in multiple races.

The teenager’s impressive performance came close to matching Girmay’s breakthrough at the 2018 African Championships in Rwanda, where he won three gold medals in the junior categories.

Teklemariam is proud to be a member of Asbeco, the club where Girmay began his career before receiving a scholarship from the International Cycling Union (UCI).

“Biniam is a talented rider who has achieved things no African cyclist ever has,” he said.

“It excites me that he rode for the same club where I’m training now.”

Teklemariam is coached by Yonas Zekarias, who also worked with Girmay during his early years.

He sees a parallel between the two riders.

“When Biniam won three medals in 2018, I said then that he could reach the highest level in cycling,” Zekarias told the BBC.

“Now, Keven and his teammates show the same potential and maturity.”

Henok Mulubrhan, a professional with Astana-Qazaqstan and three-time African champion, is optimistic about Teklemariam’s talent

“I know these young riders well,” he said.

“Some of them train with me in Eritrea, and Keven is certainly one to watch.”

Cycling is deeply ingrained in Eritrean culture, a legacy left by over half a century of Italian colonial rule.

What began as a mode of transportation has evolved into a source of sporting prowess for a small and poor East African nation which rarely makes an impact on the global stage.

The country’s cyclists have steadily gained international recognition over the past decade.

In 2015, Daniel Teklehaimanot became the first African to wear the Tour de France’s polka dot jersey, awarded to the king of the mountains.

That milestone paved the way for future cyclists like Girmay, who has attained several other landmarks.

In 2022, he became the first man from the continent to win a one-day classic and the first black African to win a Grand Tour stage.

That latter accomplishment, at the Giro d’Italia, was then repeated at the Tour de France in July, where Girmay – who at one point could not imagine himself competing in the sport’s biggest race – expressed his excitement.

“Now is our time. This is for all of Africa,” he said.

Two more stage victories followed to bring him that historic green jersey for the top points scorer, and his achievements earned him a nomination for the prestigious Velo d’Or – another first for an African rider.

The winner of the award which recognises the world’s best cyclist will be announced on 6 December.

Girmay still lives and trains in the Eritrean capital Asmara, where his every triumph is fervently celebrated and a pipeline of cycling talent continues to flow.

The country dominated this year’s African Road Championships, finishing top of the medal table in Kenya with a total of 16 podium finishes.

Now the Eritrean cycling community is abuzz with anticipation, asking if the country could deliver the first African to claim the coveted yellow jersey for the overall winner at the Tour de France.

According to Zekarias, that dream could be realised within a decade if the right development plan is in place.

“If these junior riders get the opportunity to train at the UCI centre, I believe they could win the yellow jersey in the next five or six years,” he predicted.

The youngest general classification winner in Tour history is Henri Cornet, who was just shy of 20 when he won in 1904.

More recently, Tadej Pogacar claimed the title in 2020 at the age of 21 and the Slovenian now has three victories to his name.

Teklemariam has his sights set on following their path.

“I’m younger than Pogacar was when he won, but if you’re dedicated, nothing is impossible,” the teenager said.

“Victory begins with self-confidence.

“If I win in Africa and stay dedicated, why not in Europe? Why not in the Giro? Why not in the Tour de France?”