Eritrean Biniam Girmay is Africa's best cyclist

By Tesfalem Araia

Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay has been named Africa's best cyclist of the year by organisers of the La Tropicale Amissa Bongo, an annual cycling tour held in Gabon. 

The 21-year-old clinched his second consecutive award ahead of South African Ryan Gibson and two of his countrymen; Merhawi Kudus and Henok Mulubrehan.

Eritreans dominate cycling competitions in Africa in almost all categories, both at the individual and at national team level.

The Horn of Africa nation has recorded six wins at the men's elite African Road Championships, more than any other country, in the last decade.

The country's biggest feat globally came at the 2015 Tour de France when Daniel Teklehaimanot became the first African to wear the polka dot jersey and Merhawi Kudus, then 21, was the field's youngest rider. 

Several Eritrean professional cyclists have been recruited by clubs in Europe and South Africa over the years.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Cycling News