Biniam Girmay Sets Record as First African to Win Iconic Green Jersey at Tour De France 

Biniam Girmay has become an international star after setting the record as the first African to receive the iconic green jersey – a prize awarded to the best sprinter after a three-week competition.

Now, he is embracing his role as a hero in his home country – Eritrea – and an inspiration for cyclists across Africa as a whole.

Girmay was the only black rider in this year’s Tour de only in the whole peloton of 176 riders.

It is a source of great pride for many Eritreans, whose nation is strongly protected by the government and typically only makes news throughout the world for its border conflicts and inferior human rights record, according to rights organisations.

Eritrean fans often turn up to support Girmay away from home too – at the 2023 Tour de Suisse one fan told the BBC: “He is an African king. We are proud. Eritrea is known for some bad things like war, now it is different.”

Girmay also represents the wider continent, Mani Arthur, who runs the Black Cyclists Network and has competed for Ghana, told the BBC’s Focus on Africa podcast last week.

“We don’t really see many black riders, especially from Africa, competing in the Tour de France,” he said.

“So to see Girmay not only be competing but to also win a much coveted stage is incredible. He’s proven himself to be amongst the best riders in the world.”

Girmay plans to compete in the Olympics in Paris this summer after the Tour de France. As the only road cyclist representing Eritrea, he will not have a teammate to lead him out in the peleton to guarantee a spot for his sprint, so his chances of winning a gold medal are slim.

He also has great expectations for the World Championships in Rwanda, where the UCI conducted its initial scouting of him, which takes place next year.

A Girmay triumph in Rwanda would mean a great deal to many. Cycling enthusiasts from all around the world would see an African racer speed past an African finish line before getting engulfed in a mob waving the green, blue and yellow Eritrean flag.