'Historic day for cycling' - Former pros praise 'superstar' Biniam Girmay after Gent-Wevelgem triumph

Pundits and former professionals have been full of praise for Eritrea's Biniam Girmay after his historic Gent-Wevelgem classic win. The 21-year-old became the first Eritrean to win a World Tour race on Sunday. Ad/> Riding for Intermarch-Wanty Gobert, Girmay beat off competition from usual suspects in Jumbo Visma's Christophe Laporte and TotalEnergies' Dires Van Gestel.

Gent — WevelgemBlazin’ Saddles: More to come from Girmay after historic Gent-Wevelgem win21 HOURS AGO A perfect sprint finish and a masterful ride over the cobbles during the 248.8km race saw him take the win. And pundits and professionals have been lining up to sing Girmay's praises after a «historical day» for a sport that has struggled with diversity. Cycling commentator Rob Hatch praised Girmay's breakthrough as a watershed moment for a sport that has struggled for diversity.

Girmay wins historic Gent-Wevelgem for Eritrea Blazin' Saddles — More to come from Girmay after groundbreaking win «The green, red and blue colours of the Eritrean national flag have been visible for years now at almost every single professional bike race on the planet,» he said. «During that time, the East African diaspora have waved those flags to cheer on attacking riders who have been strong in the mountains but have failed to produce too much end product on European roads. Now they have a winner.

A special talent. A natural born superstar. »It was in Europe’s cycling Mecca where he earned the African continent’s first World Championship medal after finishing second in the U23 road race last autumn, and where he beat the best in the world to glory at Gent-Wevelgem, blazing yet another trail as the first African to win a Cobbled Classic.