Date: Monday, 22 July 2024
From our special correspondents in Nice – Eritrean Biniam Girmay became the first African rider to win the green jersey for best sprinter on Sunday in the Tour de France. An achievement for the Intermarché-Circus-Wanty team member who does not see himself as a pioneer but as a symbol of cycling that is opening up to the world. Interview.
Published on :22/07/2024 - 08:47
Biniam Girmay is the first African to win the green jersey in the Tour de France. © Marco Bertorello, AFPAs a child, watching the Tour de France made him want to take up cycling. And now, Eritrean Biniam Girmay has made history on the Tour de France by becoming the first African to win a distinctive jersey on Sunday, July 21. In this case, the green jersey for best sprinter, which he brought back to Nice.
"Bini" marked this 111th edition of the Grande Boucle, proud to be "the first black African rider" to raise his arms there. He even won three times, in Turin from the third stage , then in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises and in Villeneuve-sur-Lot . Combined with his consistency in the intermediate sprints and in the final sprints, this allowed him to win the green jersey ahead of Jasper Philispen, winner in 2023. And in the wake of the 2024 Tour de France which he finished in 113th position, Biniam Girmay extended his contract with the Belgian team Intermarché-Circus-Wanty until 2028.
As he came down from the podium in Nice, he stopped at the microphone of France 24 to answer a few questions.
How do you feel tonight after officially winning the green jersey of the Tour de France ?
It's just incredible. I feel the emotion inside me. I said I didn't want to cry in front of the cameras anymore... I said it to myself again this morning in front of my mirror. I've been telling myself for a long time: if I'm ever part of the Tour de France, I'll be happy. And now I am. I won three stages to earn this green jersey... And to do it in front of the supporters of my country who came, it's great!
Is this the beginning of something for Africa and cycling ?
This is not a beginning, it is already a bit the case. I hope to see more African cyclists, whatever their nationality. It makes me super proud honestly. It is nice to see cycling globalizing. If you know the history of our sport, you know that this is the first time that a black African rider wins a stage, the first time that an African rider wins a green jersey. It is just incredible!
I am very happy for the future of Africa and for the future of cycling. It is beautiful to see in the peloton people of different colours, countries and continents. So I am very happy to be part of this story. It is a historic moment and it is a special moment for me.
There were many compatriots to welcome you in Nice, how did you feel ?
