Words by Shayni Solanki
Road cycling isn’t the most diverse sport, leaving plenty of room for history to be made – and that’s exactly what Biniam Girmay is doing.
Last year, 23-year-old Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay made history when he became the first Black-African rider to win a classic cycle race. Soon after, he went on to become the first Black-African rider to win a Grand Tour Stage.
Classic cycle races are the most prestigious forms of road racing on a global scale. They’re bigger than national championships, and bigger than some world championships too. Winning one is comparable to winning a Formula 1 race or scoring a winning goal a World Cup match. So, after cycling for 243km, Girmay made history when he won the 2022 Gent-Wevelgem. Not only did he make history by being the very first African rider to do so, he did it aged only 21.
After winning a classic cycle race, Girmay went on to win a stage at the Giro d’Italia: an incredible milestone for any athlete, and something no Eritrean rider had done before. The Giro d’Italia is one of the three big cycling stage races – Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana being the other two.
Road cycling isn’t too popular amongst our generation. It’s notoriously an upper-class European sport, rarely showcasing diverse talent. As a Black-African, Girmay is changing that. This is where Biniam Girmay changes the game. A new generation is starting to watch cycling, engaging and uplifting Black athletes.
Black cyclists like Kevin Reza and Russell Williams who preceded Girmay were let down, facing racism manifested in the form of slow career progression. Building upon this, Girmay himself said that he wouldn’t be where he is today if not for African riders before him, saying “they just didn’t have the means to become professional”. This is where Biniam Girmay offers hope, opening doors (or should I say roads) for many more black riders to travel.
To see his impact, you need look no further than 19-year-old cyclist Kiya Rogora. He said that thanks to Girmay, “we have all seen that it’s possible and we’re trying to be the next one”. Rogora is an Ethiopian road champion, storming his way up the ranks, showing just like Girmay that young black cyclists know just what they’re capable of.