Eritrea’s Binam Girmay Hailu etched his name in cycling history this Sunday as part of the Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert team. He claimed victory in the 84th Ghent-Wevelgem, a grueling clash that logged well over 248 kilometers and unfolded into a dramatic finale. Girmay became the first rider from a sub-Saharan African nation to win a WorldTour event, a milestone that resonates beyond the race course and into the broader story of global cycling.
Born in Asmara twenty-one years earlier, Biniam Girmay stood on the podium with a smile that carried relief, pride, and a touch of disbelief after crossing the line ahead of Christophe Laporte of Jumbo-Visma in the race’s final 250 meters. The moment marked the culmination of years of dedication and a rapid ascent through the sport, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s most exciting rising talents.
The victory came amid a four-man escape that had forged its own destiny with 24 kilometers to go. The quartet built a lead that stretched the margins and kept the peloton at bay, forcing a decisive finish into a demanding sprint where Girmay showed his best form. Laporte, along with other strong rivals including Dries van Gestel of TotalEnergies and Jasper Stuyven of Trek-Segafredo, battled to close the gap, but the final dash belonged to the Eritrean rider.
At that late moment, the lead group was eight seconds clear of a chasing pack dominated by notable contenders from around the world—Soren Kragh Andersen of DSM, Tim Merlier of Alpecin-Fenix, Mads Pedersen of Trek-Segafredo, and Iván García Cortina of Movistar—who peppered the race with attacks and counterattacks as the cobbles tested every rider’s resolve. The textures of the battle were unmistakable: tactics, timing, and raw speed converging on a country road with a long history in cycling’s classics.
Girmay spoke after the finish with a mix of astonishment and gratitude, acknowledging the shift in plans that had shaped his approach in the days leading up to the race. He described how the team’s strategy evolved a few days before the race, pivoting toward a plan that emphasized a strong result rather than a predetermined script. His words, captured by cyclingnews, reflected both the emotional intensity of the moment and the clear confidence of a driver who had trusted his teammates and his own instincts in a high-stakes environment.
Reflecting on his career, Girmay’s path has already included standout performances on the world stage. Last year he earned a silver medal in the under-23 long-distance road race at the World Championships, a sign of his potential that was widely discussed within the Flemish cycling scene and beyond. This latest triumph adds another chapter to a young athlete’s ongoing ascent, underscoring his ability to translate promise into tangible, historic results.
Earlier in the season, he claimed victory at the Alcúdia Cup during the Mallorca Cycling Competition, a result that highlighted his growing versatility on varied terrains. He also opened the French French-speaking calendar by taking the first edition of the Grand Besançon Doubs Classic in 2021, signaling a willingness to embrace a broad range of routes and conditions. Each performance has contributed to a narrative of a rider who blends speed, endurance, and an instinctive sense for when to strike during the race’s most decisive moments.
In post-race remarks, Girmay offered a candid glimpse into the personal side of a life on tour. He noted the long stretches away from home, the months spent immersed in training camps, and the longing for family—an emotional thread that has accompanied many riders through the season. As he prepared to return home for a reunion with his wife and daughter, the sentiment was one of balance: dedication on the bike matched by a deep commitment to family life off it. The conversation around his journey has woven together professional achievement and personal resilience, a combination that resonates with fans and athletes alike. The broader cycling community will now look to see how this historic victory shapes his trajectory in the coming races and seasons, with anticipation and admiration for what lies ahead.