Homesickness and visa issues have not stopped Eritrea's Biniam Girmay becoming a cycling sensation.
By Wedaeli Chibelushi & Habtom Weldeyowhannes,To his fans, he’s the “African king” - an international star and the first black African to win a Tour de France stage.
Many believe Girmay's success will spark change in an overwhelmingly white sport - in this year's Tour de France he is the only black rider in the whole peloton of 176 riders. Cycling is one of Eritrea's most popular sports, a pastime picked up during decades of Italian colonial rule. But the 2020 coronavirus outbreak scuppered his plans to return home - and also left him unable to compete in Europe as several races got cancelled.
As a sprinter, Girmay accelerates quickly towards the end of the race, embarking on a ferocious dash to the finish line. He made a quick recovery, but without his wife and daughter around, he still struggled to enjoy his win.Despite this homesickness, Girmay battled on. His wife and daughter eventually moved to French city of Nice - and will be waiting for him after the Tour ends on Sunday.After his third stage victory at the Tour, people spilled out onto the streets in Asmara, waving the national flag and dancing to a soundtrack of celebratory car horns.
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