Africa Rising: Biniam Girmay Secures Triple Victory at Tour de France
Eritrean Cyclist Biniam Girmay has won the green jersey in the Tour de France points competition.
Biniam Girmay won the coveted green jersey in the points competition at the Tour de France on Sunday in Nice, a historic feat for both black and African cycling.
The Eritrean, who rides for the Intermarché-Wanty Team is the first black rider to win a stage or any classification in the Tour de France, as well as the first African rider to win the points classification.
Following a collision in Nimes on Tuesday, Jasper Philipsen momentarily endangered the position of Girmay, but Girmay finished the Tour with a 33-point lead over Philipsen.
The cyclist took home the Green Jersey with 387 points, ahead of Philipsen and Bryan Coquard.
When Girmay arrived in Nice, he was greeted by a large crowd of Eritreans who sang "Bini, Bini, Bini."
He told reporters that it "was a dream come true" after growing up watching the Tour de France on television.