Tour de France: African star Biniam Girmay aiming for glory – DW – 07/10/2025
Last year, Africa's most prominent cyclist, Biniam Girmay, won three sprint stages in the Tour de France 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 Eritrea. 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.
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.
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 special role as a representative of Africa.
"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 is less clear on the World Championships in Rwanda (September 21 to 28) though. It is set to be the first World Championships 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, Philipsen, who is out. And the route of this Tour de France still offers a few opportunities for sprinters like Girmay.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Int'l Business Times
2 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Belgium Conjures Up Win At Quidditch World Cup
With a fair bit of wizardry on the pitch, Belgium became the first European country to win the quidditch world cup on Sunday. The sport, known as quadball officially since 2022, is originally inspired by the game played by Harry Potter and his schoolmates in the famed books by J.K. Rowling. Instead of the magical broomsticks in the stories, quadball involves players running around with sticks between their legs and trying to throw balls through hoops. This year -- 31 teams from Latin America to Africa to Vietnam -- competed in Tubize, Belgium for the title of world champions in the sixth edition of the tournament. Belgium saw off Germany in the final by 170 to 90 in front of around 2,000 spectators at a local football stadium. "It's an indescribable feeling," Belgian player Seppe De Wit, who has been involved with the sport for 12 years, told AFP. "I'm proud of how we managed together, and it's going to be one of the best day of my life." The United States has traditionally dominated in the sport, claiming the world title four times. Players and authorities in the sport have in recent years been pushing to have the sport move on from its roots in the Harry Potter franchise and be taken more seriously as a discipline in its own right. The sport -- which has mixed teams -- has also sought to distance itself from Rowling's outspoken views on transgender rights and her view that biological sex is immutable. She denies being transphobic, but her position on the subject has made her a hate figure among many transgender rights campaigners. Organisers at the three-day tournament -- the biggest held since it was launched in 2012 -- insisted that they remained open to all participants. "It's really refreshing to be able to be a part of a community that when I come here, I feel like I can be open and I can talk to anyone and not have to worry about the gender of the person that I'm dating," said Japan team captain Leo Makoto Yazaki Levine. "I can just be myself without having to hide any part of me." Belgium won the tournament to become the first European world champions AFP Players have been pushing to have the sport accepted as its own discipline AFP
DW
4 days ago
- DW
Tour de France: African star Biniam Girmay aiming for glory – DW – 07/10/2025
Africa's cycling star Biniam Girmay has a tough task repeating his successes from the 2024 Tour de France but remains optimistic. He is unsure whether he will even compete the upcoming World Championships in Rwanda. Last year, Africa's most prominent cyclist, Biniam Girmay, won three sprint stages in the Tour de France 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 Eritrea. 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. 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. 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 special role as a representative of Africa. "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 is less clear on the World Championships in Rwanda (September 21 to 28) though. It is set to be the first World Championships 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, Philipsen, who is out. And the route of this Tour de France still offers a few opportunities for sprinters like Girmay.
DW
4 days ago
- DW
Prospects for peace and World Cup lift mood in DR Congo – DW – 07/10/2025
A new sense of hope is in the air the DR Congo, fueled by a recent peace deal and the prospect of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. These are busy times for football in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The women's team are playing in the African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time since 2012 while the men are currently top of their qualification group for the 2026 World Cup, putting them on course for a first appearance on the global stage since 1974. Off the pitch, there is also encouraging news. If a peace deal that was signed in June between the country and neighboring Rwanda holds, enduring violence could recede and citizens could have a fresh chance to play or watch sport. The eastern region of the 11th biggest country in the world has been dogged by violence for the past 30 years, which has, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, resulted in the deaths of approximately six million people. Fighting escalated earlier this year as M23, a rebel paramilitary group that, according to the Congo and the United Nations, is backed by Rwanda, made inroads against the Congolese army. Details of the peace plan, brokered by the United States, may be currently vague with concerns over whether it can hold and the low levels of trust between the two parties, but the prospect of stability is a welcome one. "Congo is one of the most mineral-rich countries in the world," Murithi Mutiga, Africa Program Director at the International Crisis Group, told DW. "One hopes that eventually this [peace deal] will be implemented and with luck and also concerted diplomatic efforts, that Congo may reach its potential." If the fighting stops, football can continue all over the country. "In terms of the national game, a peace deal needs to be sorted because a number of the clubs that are based in the east of the country have not been able to play as a result of the recent conflict and invasion," Guy Burton, an international research analyst on conflict and peace, told DW. "Ultimately for the game to flourish, you need to have stability, you need to have peace. When war is happening, the priority is just to survive." Peace is just a start. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "Provided it is followed by concrete and sustainable implementation, the state and investors can better finance the rehabilitation of stadiums, community fields, and training centers," Francisco Mulonga, president of football club Sporting Club de Kinshasa, told DW. "Regions formerly at war could finally benefit from real sports facilities." Greater opportunities in cities such as Goma, which lies near the border with Rwanda, would give young men a choice and a brighter future that involves kicking a ball and not picking up a gun or getting involved in crime. "Football can really help young men turn away from violence and adopt a healthier lifestyle through sport, especially in contexts marked by poverty, idleness, or social tensions," Mulonga added. "Playing football fosters the creation of strong social bonds between young people from different backgrounds. Football is a model of hope and ambition." Reaching the 2026 World Cup could be a game-changer. Even amid instability at home, DR Congo is top of its qualification group, with Senegal and Sudan close behind and just four games remaining. DR Congo faces those two teams on home soil later this year in what should be decisive clashes. "If the men's team qualifies, people will look more at Congo, to come and invest and help the kids," Ricardo Eluka, founder of Espoir Football Academy in Kinshasa, which he set up to help young people fulfil their dreams, told DW. There is enough natural ability in the country to shine and join continental teams that often appear at the big tournaments. "Congo has the same level of talent as the Nigerian team, Ghana and Senegal. We have these kinds of players but we don't have the money to come and invest," said Eluka. "If we had more money coming, football in Congo would be huge." More investment at grassroots, in facilities and in the clubs would help the country produce more players such as Chancel Mbemba who has appeared almost 100 times for the national team and played at prestigious European clubs such as Newcastle United, Porto and Marseille, as well as forward Cedric Bakambu. "Qualification for the World Cup would have a very positive and structuring impact on Congolese football on several levels: sporting, economic, social, and even political,' said Mulonga. "The DRC would benefit from global visibility, which could improve its diplomatic, cultural, and economic image. It could also facilitate the export of Congolese players to top-tier foreign clubs." The women have longer to go, however, and were eliminated from the WAFCON with a game left to play. Here the natural resources are just as great but the infrastructure and support, according to national team captain Fideline N'goy, is lacking. "There is great talent and a desire among young girls to play the sport, but there is no decent coaching to develop their talents: no training centers, no fields, and no projects from the federation," N'goy told DW. The goalkeeper contrasts the situation with Cameroon and Morocco where, she says, FIFA prize money goes back into the women's game and South Africa where the women are paid almost as much as the men. "In our country, the winners of the women's championship earn US $10,000 (€8500), while the men's earn US$150,000." It may be left for the women to do it themselves, to achieve international success in order to help those back at home. "If the women play well, we will have more female students," Eluka said. "The problem in Congo, there is no investment made, no facilities for the ladies to practice and get better." It remains to be seen how the men getting to the World Cup would help the women's game but it would certainly be celebrated in a country that has not had much to celebrate in recent years. "Football is almost a national religion in Congo," said Mitiga. "If it qualifies for the World Cup as it seems well-poised to do, it will really energize and electrify the nation and it will bring people together."
