There are victories that define themselves. Never before has an African runner managed to win a world cycling classic. Today the Eritrean Biniam Ghirmay has achieved it. He is only 21 years old. Enough to enter the history of cycling. To change the paradigm of two wheels with a victory that will be an example for millions and millions of people. Girmay won the Ghent Wevelgem in the sprint. A milestone that means a lot for African sports.
Girmay’s feat came on the pavé, a surface destined for the victories of the classicomaniacs. Where Peter Sagan, Van Aert, Pedersen, Tom Boonen, Oscar Freire or Cipollini prevailed before, Ghirmay triumphed, after starting with a lot of power he got emotional as soon as he crossed the finish line.
Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux had not planned to compete in the Flemish classic, but in the end he stayed in Europe and won the demanding race. “This is incredible. I never expected this. My plans changed just a few days ago, Friday night actually. I came here for a good result, but this? This is unbelievable.”, he expressed.
“I’ve been here in Europe for more than three months and I miss my wife and daughter, so I have to go home”, said ‘Bini’, who stated that he will not be at the Tour of Flanders the other weekend.
“I felt very good, but there were also strong riders. Therefore, I was a little scared. But when I saw that we were going to make it, I had faith. Especially in the last 250 meters. I was confident in my sprint. It’s amazing that he wins,” said the first African winner of a Belgian classic. “A lot has changed for me, but this means there is a bright future for African cyclists. Congratulations to all Africans”, he celebrated.
Source: Dehai Eritrea Online