Biniam Girmay of Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert stormed to victory in a dramatic stage three of the Tour de France, etching his name in cycling history.
The 24-year-old Eritrean became the first black African rider to win a stage at the prestigious race.
Girmay’s thrilling sprint finish came amidst chaos in the final kilometers.
A late crash involving sprint favorite Jasper Philipsen fractured the peloton, delaying Tadej Pogacar, the two-time defending champion.
While Pogacar escaped injury, the incident opened the door for Girmay’s impressive surge.
He outmuscled Colombian Fernando Gaviria and Belgian Arnaud De Lie to secure the stage win.
This victory marks a significant moment for African cycling.
Girmay joins South Africans Daryl Impey and Rob Hunter as the only Africans to win stages at the Tour de France.
Notably, Chris Froome, a multiple Tour winner, was born in Kenya but competed for Great Britain.
Meanwhile, the battle for the yellow jersey saw a shift. Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz took the overall lead from Pogacar after attacking on the final climb.
The two remain deadlocked on time, with Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard trailing closely behind.
The skies turned a menacing grey as riders entered Turin after two scorching opening stages.
Girmay, already showing his versatility beyond pure sprinting, capitalized on Philipsen’s absence to deliver a historic win.
This victory further cements his reputation as a rising star after his breakthrough in 2022, where he became the first African to win a cycling classic at Gent-Wevelgem.
Girmay’s future looks bright, but it wasn’t without a setback.
His 2022 Giro d’Italia stage win was overshadowed by an eye injury sustained while celebrating on the podium.
Regardless, the Eritrean rider has proven his resilience and talent,leaving fans eager to see what he accomplishes next in the Tour de France.
