Biniam Girmay becomes the first black man to win Tour de France
Biniam Girmay made history at the Tour de France as the first Black African to win a stage, while Mark Cavendish missed out on the victory. Richard Carapaz seized his first yellow jersey on Stage 3 in Turin, setting the tone for a significant day in the race. This is prepared by SSP.
In a messy and chaotic finale, Girmay emerged victorious, triumphing over a reduced group of sprinters. Notably, this achievement followed his recent win at the Giro d'Italia, securing his place in cycling history.
The thrilling conclusion saw Girmay cross the line before Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie. Overwhelmed with emotion, Girmay conveyed his gratitude in a post-race interview, expressing his disbelief at winning one of the world's most prestigious races.
The drama further heightened as Mathieu van der Poel, Alpecin-Deceuninck's lead-out rider for Jasper Philipsen, faced a mechanical problem, disrupting the team's ambitions. Additionally, a late crash scattered numerous sprint formations, including Mark Cavendish's Astana Qazaqstan outfit.
The incident caused a split in the peloton, resulting in around 20 riders forming a lead group to contend for the sprint. Carapaz, who started the stage with the same overall time as Tadej Pogacar, found himself among this select pack emphasized the importance of the stage.
This stage provided an opportunity for the sprinters to showcase their skills, evident from the fiercely contested intermediate sprint ahead of the chaos that unfolded later in the day.
Ultimately, it was Girmay who timed his kick to perfection, surging forward on the right side of the barriers. Dutch national champion Dylan Groenewegen trailed behind him but couldn't find a viable opening. Girmay's celebration began even before he crossed the finish line, dedicating his victory to Africa as a whole.
The significance of this achievement was not lost on Girmay, who expressed his incredulity at participating in the Tour de France considering his early cycling aspirations. He conveyed his gratitude to his family, wife, and the entire Eritrean and African community, noting that this moment signifies their involvement and recognition in top-level races.
Meanwhile, Carapaz, finishing 14 places behind, celebrated an individual milestone by becoming the first Ecuadorian to wear the iconic yellow jersey, courtesy of a better aggregate stage finish position. Nonetheless, Pogacar remained unperturbed by relinquishing the overall lead, remaining on the same time as Carapaz, Remco Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard.
The frenzied finish presented a stark contrast to the preceding somber tone of Stage 3, the longest of the Tour de France. The leisurely pace allowed riders to recover after an intense opening weekend. Jonas Abrahamsen extended his lead in the King of the Mountains competition, and Evenepoel maintained his white jersey position leading Carlos Rodriguez.
As the race moves along, the battle for the general classification will recommence on the Col du Galibier, showcasing the continued rivalry between the top contenders.
