Last year, Africa’s most prominent cyclist, , won three sprint stages in the and took home the green jersey for the best points-scoring rider, usually a sprinter. He was the first black professional cyclist from Africa to do any of these things, marking his achievements as a moment of history for African cycling and for his home country of . In Asmara, the capital, Girmay was welcomed with a motorcade as people danced and cheered for their hero.
This year, even though fans from Eritrea continue to celebrate him despite being thousands of miles away, Girmay has found life on the Tour a bit more challenging.
Form is true, but success remains elusive
Nevertheless, he finished second in the opening stage behind the Belgian Jasper Philipsen.
“I felt good and enjoyed the day,” Girmay told DW afterwards. “But I had to do everything on my own, so I used up a lot of energy. And Jasper was the fastest in the end.”
Despite converting his good form into a second-place finish, the 25-year-old wasn’t that happy. “I’m a bit disappointed,” said Girmay. “I would at least have liked to have had a teammate with me. That has to get better. But it is what it is. We’re at the Tour de France and not everything will always go perfectly.”
Things have not gone quites so well in the subsequent stages, with Girmay slowed by an injury to his knee. Despite that, he still has big goals ahead: he wants to win at least one stage again and also fight for the green jersey.
Girmay a more mature person
Does the pressure of having to repeat last year’s success weigh on him?
“No, it just gives me motivation,” replied the sprint specialist from Eritrea. “I’ve spoken to a few guys who have been there many times and they say that winning just one stage is super tough. And I had three in one year. That gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of my career.”
Despite his success, Girmay has not changed as a person, according to people close to him.
“There are more people who want something from him. But he’s still the same,” his coach and sporting director Aike Visbeek said. “His career is progressing fast. But it’s not so much the green jersey that has changed him, but more the fact that he is a young man who is maturing.”
This mature young athlete is aware of his .
“I want to do the best for myself and my family first,” said Girmay. “Unfortunately, I’m the only rider from Africa this year. But of course it is very nice for me to represent my country and also my continent.”
Girmay’s start in Rwanda remains unclear
Girmay is less clear on the World Championships in (September 21 to 28) though. It is set to be the first on the African continent, but at times, he himself has even questioned his participation.
He complained that the World Championships course was made for climbers, not for sprinters.
“It’s a milestone for Africa. But for me, the course is far beyond my own capabilities,” said Girmay at the beginning of the year. “I don’t know if I would even make it to the finish. There’s no point in competing then.”
But he left one door open. If his country called him, he would be there.
During the Tour de France, Girmay did not want to say anything about the World Championships. But coach Visbeek is still skeptical:
“He [Girmay] is still disappointed with the course. I don’t think you really help the African cyclists with a course like this. You make it very difficult and that’s sad,” he told DW.
Right now though, Girmay is fully focused on the Tour de France. Thanks to his participation in the intermediate sprints, he is still in the running for the green jersey. He has also not had any serious crashes so far, unlike the winner of the first stage, , who is out. And the route of this Tour de France still offers a few opportunities for sprinters like Girmay.
This article was adapted from its original German.
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