Eritrean Biniam Girmay creates cycling history with Giro d'Italia stage win

Biniam Girmay created history on Tuesday by clinching stage 10 of the Giro d'Italia on Tuesday.

The Eritrean, 22, became the first black African to win a stage on any of the three Grand Tours. Girmay proved too strong for Dutch ace Mathieu van der Poel, who threw up his hands in defeat after a long struggle for the line at Jesi.

Multiple tour winner Chris Froome was born in Kenya and Daryl Impey of South Africa also has won stages, but Girmay is the first black African to do so.

“I realise I’m making history but it’s thanks to my team and my family,” Girmay said. “I’m really grateful to them.”

Spanish rider Juan Pedro Lopez of the Trek-Segafredo team maintained his 12-second lead over Joao Almeida in the overall standings as the three-week race approached the halfway stage. Romain Bardet is 14 seconds back.

“I watched the Giro as a kid on television and then went out riding with the dream of one day taking part,” Girmay added. “We write a little piece of history every day.”

Girmay, who finished second in the opening stage, was led out by teammate Domenico Pozzovivo in the final stretch.

Cycling at its finest.@GrmayeBiniam