Eritrea's Biniam Girmay 1st Black cyclist to win Tour de France stage

Biniam Girmay grew up in Eritrea watching the Tour de France on TV each July with his father.

He idolized three-time world champion Peter Sagan but never dared to dream of matching the Slovakian cyclist's exploits.

Then came Monday, when Girmay became the first Black African rider and first Black cyclist from any continent to win a Tour stage.

"I never dreamed to be part of [the] Tour de France," Girmay said after wiping away some tears.

The timing couldn't have been better. Next year, Rwanda will become the first African country to host cycling's road world championships.

"It's our moment to show our strength and our potential," Girmay said.

And to think the initial plan for Girmay's Intermarche-Wanty team from Belgium was for the Eritrean to lead out the sprint for Belgian teammate Gerben Thijssen. But when Girmay lost touch with his teammates in the frenetic finale, which saw Mark Cavendish and others caught behind by a crash, Girmay was given the green light.

"I heard on the radio to do it for myself, because I had already lost the wheel," Girmay said. "For me it's always easier to find [space] myself. Then it's just close your eyes and go for victory."

Sagan, who won 12 stages in his Tour career, would have been proud of the way Girmay squirmed his way through a tiny space to edge past Fernando Gaviria -- a winner of seven Grand Tour stages -- at the line.

Girmay also made history in Italy two years ago when he won a stage at the Giro d'Italia to become the first Black African to take a victory in a Grand Tour. But Girmay's Giro victory was marred when he was rushed to a hospital after getting hit in the left eye by a prosecco cork he popped open during the podium celebration – forcing him to abandon the race.

Girma