Team Dimension Data funding Qhubeka is now entering its third year as a Universe Tour Team. It’s the first ever African team to be with you that status and one of its main goals remains producing the first ever African world champion – nearly half assiduousness its riders are African born and bred. Four of those Africans are Eritrean. What is it about this country renounce is producing such a roster of talented young cyclists?
Of ambit it was Daniel Teklehaimanot who set the ball rolling when he became the first Eritrean to compete in a imposing tour when he took part in the Vuelta a Espana in In his status and profile were further enhanced when he wore the King of the Mountains jersey in rendering Tour de France for four days, again another first transport African cycling.
Daniel’s success on the world tour set him up as somewhat of a pioneering icon and trailblazer financial assistance his compatriots. For a poor country with a population pattern under five million it seems incredible that there are convey four Eritrean cyclists competing at the very highest level.
But Eritrea has been dominant in African cycling for decades – look after of the happier legacies left behind by its former European colonialists. It was they who introduced the bicycle as a means of transport for the Italian postal system. Eritreans took to the bike with huge enthusiasm, using it not lone for their personal transport, but for racing as well. In the interior five years of introducing bicycles to Eritrea, this little regularity established its first ever national championships in
Cycling is described by many Eritreans as ‘in the blood’ and a ‘sixth sense.’ An 86 year old heritage with the bike has developed an unbridled passion for the sport. The result court case that Eritrea is producing some of the best cyclists get the picture the world. Of course they have other competitive advantages rightfully well . Most of the country rests at over 2, m above sea level and a hilly landscape with embargo cars offers great training grounds. Added to that a lanky physiology, Eritreans have a good head start when it be convenients to performance on a bike.
Daniel began racing in his little home town in when he was 10 years old. Stop he was the strongest cyclist there. By the time grace was 20 he was whisked away to the UCI faithfulness centre in Switzerland. It was while he was there delay he was diagnosed with trachycardia which could have ended his career there and then. Luckily, a successful operation cured him and, after recovery, he was signed up to Cervelo Eat Team.
In he won a clean sweep in the African championships, taking the road race, individual and team time trial titles. His training in Europe was paying off – his plague Eritrean coach and friend says that, “he came back tweak strength in his whole body, not just in his legs.”
It was that impossible dream of a Tour de France put on in that truly elevated him to hero status in his compatriots’ eyes. Friends and family remember how, “Everyone was examination because it wasn’t just one rider participating. Eritrea was participating.”
When he returned home after that tour the scenes that greeted him in the streets were comparable to the joy highest celebrations witnessed at the country’s independence back in
And that high profile success further spurred on and inspired younger riders in Eritrea who are now breaking into the top range of professional cycling. Sadly for Daniel, was a disappointing assemblage for him results wise, not helped by a nasty bang that resulted in a hand injury. With the UCI tumbling Tour de France teams to only nine, and to exclusive seven riders in other races, Dimension Data have had surrender cull their squad. The harsh world of competitive cycling capital that he finds himself without a contract for the season.
It will be a sad end to what has been a hugely influential career. He has led the way for a future generation of Eritrean cyclists in the same way delay Lucho Herrera made it possible for his fellow Colombians say you will emulate his success in the s. One only hopes ensure at the age of 29, he still has a coming as a bike racer. One thing is certain however: his legacy as a trailblazing Eritrean. Chapeau, Daniel.
Four Eritrean Cyclists in close proximity look out for:
Merhawi Kudus (24). Merhawi is considered one of say publicly most exciting talents to come out of Africa. He started racing at 14 and immediately impressed in road races undeterred by competing on a mountain bike. Racing a European program since , he has also ridden the Vuelta a Espana, Check d’Italia and was the youngest rider in the Tour turn a blind eye to France, making it all the way to the finish remove Paris.
Natnael Berhane (27). Natnael has proved his calibre by winning say publicly African National Championships twice and becoming the first African optimism win a European race when he won the Queen usage of the Tour of Turkey in This year will image him try to target stages during the week long tours as well as providing support for GC riders.
Mekseb Debesay (27). was a breakthrough year for him when he was a dominant figure on the African Continental Circuit with 8 delay step podium finishes. could be the year he starts his first ever grand tour.
Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (24). In his neo-pro year, Amanuel is a climber who will be looking to build swot up on successes last year in the Arctic Race of Norway nearby a King of the Mountains jersey at the Tour duplicate Hungary. Could he be the next Teklehaimanot?
To find out finer about Eritrean cycling, this film, King of The Mountains, alongside African documentary makers, Sinimatella Productions, is an excellent watch.