Remember his name: A rider from Eritrea makes history…

Baroncini will become a Trek-Segafredo professional next season. The silver Biniam Hailu Ghirmay (21) is already in the Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux. The rider from Eritrea was the fastest among the extremely skinny peloton riders, thus becoming the first black African on the World Cup podium.

“It means a lot to my country and all the African continents. I was born in the capital, Asmara where races are held every Sunday. I started mountain biking when I was twelve and switched to racing bike when I was fifteen. My cycling hero was Peter Sagan at that time. In 2018, I became an African Junior Road Champion, time trial and team time, after which the UCI invited me to race in Europe. I’ve been living in Lucca for a while now and I want to progress in the coming years and wear the rainbow jersey someday” .

“Ramko the killer”

Ghirmay is having an excellent first season on the Belgian WorldTour service. He took the top ten in the Royal Bernard Drome Classic, Trofeo Laigueglia, Tour of Poland and Tour du Jura Cycliste, among others. He also finished seventh in the Druivenkoers and second in the Tour du Doubs, winning the Classic Grand Besançon Doubs at the beginning of September.

But those who began following him a little earlier know that Ghirmay was known for a long time as the boy who beat Remco Evenepoel in the juniors. On August 3, 2018, he was faster than the Belgian super talent on the first stage of Aubel – Thimister – Stavelot.

“I have a special relationship with Belgium because I remember my little victory over Remco Evenbol at Opel-Themeister-Staffelot as it was yesterday,” Girmay said when he signed his contract with Intermarche-Wante-Joubert Matero. “I love all the Belgian classics. I’ve already discovered De Waalse Pijl and can’t wait to throw black at the other classics.”