Biniam Girmay makes History in Gent-Wevelgem, becoming the first African rider to win a major classic.
"This day changed my life forever. Gent-Wevelgem is my first big victory & many memories will remain engraved. I was proud to win a prestigious classic for my Belgian team. This victory is also strongly symbolic, exactly six years after the death of Antoine Demoitié on this same race. We celebrated our success with the whole team later that day, and from this moment I realized what I had accomplished. Dozens of journalists were waiting for me at the hotel the next day to say goodbye. A big party was held in Asmara, where I was welcomed like a hero. I never thought this victory would have such an impact. Since then, I feel a lot of respect in the peloton and it's probably the best thing that could have happened to me. There is no better compliment than the congratulations from champions such as Wout Van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel or Remco Evenepoel. Thank you to everyone who helped me to write History for Eritrea and African cycling."
