In this homemade video you can get an idea of the commotion that was armed in the streets of Asmara on the occasion of the return of the national team. [Embed] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47yscq-hylk[/embed]
It was not the first time that Eritrea lived epic cycling moments. In 2015, Daniel Teklehaimanot and Merhawi Kudus They became the first Black Africa cyclists to participate in the Tour de France. The first of them even dressed the mountain leader jersey for several days. The erythreos rubbed their eyes. Back home, they were also received as national heroes. With Girmay's victory in Flanders, Eritrea takes another step in her growth as a cycling power in the horn of Africa. The bike is part of its identity. Its authoritarian regime knows it and uses it as propaganda; One way to get to the world in a friendly and dynamic way. [Captation Id = "Attachment_7220" Align = "Alignnone" Width = "900"]
Girmay, white male after a stage of the Paris-Nice 2022. Image: ASO / Alex Broadway[/caption]
Cycling is The king sport in Eritrea. Only football is able to attract so much passion, but the fans collapsed when the national team defected completely taking advantage of a trip to Uganda.
It is rare the weekend that the streets of Asmara, the capital, do not close to traffic due to the celebration of a cycling race.
This passion of erythre by cycling comes from intense Italian influence. Since 1890, and until World War II, Eritrea was Italian colony. In the 30s, the greats of the time already traveled to this country. They were the times of the Site, Bartali and company. In fact, in the local language (Tigrinya) "bike" is a term of daily use.
In the 60s, the erythre were the only cyclists of black Africa with presence in the Olympic Games, although they competed under Ethiopian flag, which at that time controlled the country.
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Girmay, in the Tour de la Provence (2021) - Image: Marianne Casamance.[/caption]
In his interviews, Biniam Girmay admits that he dreams of a victory in a Milan-san row. At the moment, he has already put a spicy in Flanders. He would also like to look like Peter Sagan. Who knows if it will not be the Slovak who looks with envy the record of this cyclist, with a whole race ahead.
Do you want to relive the deed achieved by Biniam Girmay And the huge celebration of your entire team in Belgium? [embed] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GAHXMZQJKI[/embed]
